Mapping Corruption Measurement: Updating a Database of Survey Questions

Corruption is a central phenomenon for the analysis of the quality of democracy, institutional trust and the performance of the State. Despite its relevance, empirical research faces persistent challenges related to the measurement of corruption. This paper presents the ongoing work of updating and expanding a DATACORR database dedicated to the systematisation of questions from corruption surveys, originally developed within the framework of international projects (de Sousa, Clemente & Gouvêa Maciel, 2023). The database combines questions from national and international surveys, encompassing various dimensions of corruption, including perceptions, direct experiences, institutional assessments, and attitudes towards corrupt practices. The most recent update (2020-2025) incorporates new surveys and additional rounds of existing studies. The upgrade process involved three main steps. Firstly, the systematic identification and collection of relevant new survey tools. Second, the harmonisation of variables, including the standardisation of question formulation and types of answers. Third, the revision and refinement of conceptual classifications will allow for a more precise distinction between perceptions, experiences, and normative judgments on corruption, which can be used in the questionnaire we will develop. In quantitative terms, the update substantially expands the empirical scope of the database. A total of 23 new survey rounds were reviewed and incorporated, resulting in the extraction and coding of 418 additional survey items related to corruption. These new entries increase both the temporal coverage and the analytical diversity of the database, strengthening its potential for comparative and longitudinal research. The communication concludes by highlighting the potential of the database not only as a repository of questions but as a methodological tool for the construction of new data collection tools. From the database, a benchmarking strategy was developed based on a systematic keyword search, which allows for the identification, comparison, and selection of questions that have already been tested and widely used in the literature. This procedure is a structured first step for researchers interested in developing corruption surveys, beginning with the conceptual definition of the phenomenon, followed by the mapping of existing approaches, and culminating in the selection of questions tailored to the analytical objectives of the study. In this sense, the work paves the way for future research, dedicated to answering the question: “Where to start when you want to measure corruption through a survey?” and offering a practical and replicable guide, both in technical reports and academic publications.