The Southern African Journal of Accountability and Auditing Research: A bibliometric review (1998 -2017).

The Southern African Journal of Accountability and Auditing Research (SAJAAR) is a scientific research journal of the Southern African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA). The aim of SAJAAR is to advance scholarly research and debate accountability and auditing-related topics, with preference given to research which focuses on the public sector. SAJAAR has been in existence since 1998, however, has not embarked on a bibliometric review to reflect on its history and development. The research objective of this study was to perform a bibliometric review for regular readers and the broader academic and professional community to reflect on the history of the journal and consider its status and future in terms of auditing and accountability. A bibliometric review is considered a natural and necessary exercise for academic journals. The study employed a deductive content analysis based on bibliometric characteristics commonly used in literature. The findings reveal a steady increase in the number of annual publications over the 20-year period. The journal maintained a strong focus on internal and external auditing research, particularly in the South African public sector. International collaboration declined and no publications were published from the broader Southern African community. In terms of methodologies, a mix between quantitative and qualitative studies exists, however, most of the latter studies were non-empirical in nature. Limited studies were conducted using a mixed methods approach. The results of the bibliometric review suggests that the journal increase its Southern African footprint by elevating its status and international visibility, include more empirical qualitative studies and invite manuscripts from studies which adopt mixed methods research. This bibliometric review of the history of SAJAAR, presents the journal and its readers with a synopsis of its status, potential growth and a baseline against which future progress can be measured. The results enable readers and regular authors to reflect on further research in auditing and accountability, so that SAJAAR can reflect on its policy and strategy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]