Research in public administration: the reflective and inductive role of the Brazilian Journal of Public Administration

Abstract This article discusses the role of the Brazilian Journal of Public Administration (RAP) in public administration research in Brazil. It focuses on the period from 2000 to 2010, and highlights tendencies observed from 2015 on. The article briefly describes the journal’s 50-year history, presents data from a research that assesses the scientific and academic production in Public Administration from 2000 to 2010, and discusses the role of RAP as a space to receive and promote quality academic research in the field.