Editorial Policies
Comprehensive standards ensuring integrity, quality, and ethical excellence in water research publication.
Commitment to Research Excellence
Water maintains rigorous editorial policies supporting high-quality peer review, research integrity, and ethical publishing practices. These standards ensure published water science meets expectations of the global hydrology community.
Our policies align with COPE, ICMJE, and established publishing ethics standards for scientific research.
All water research submissions undergo rigorous peer review by qualified specialists. Our review process ensures scientific validity, methodological rigor, and significant contribution to hydrology knowledge.
Expert Evaluation
Reviewers are selected for specific expertise matching manuscript topics in water science and related environmental disciplines.
Constructive Feedback
Reviews provide detailed, actionable feedback helping authors improve their water research manuscripts for publication.
Confidential Process
Manuscript content remains confidential throughout the review process, protecting unpublished water research findings.
Timely Decisions
Editorial decisions are communicated promptly, respecting author timelines and research dissemination needs for water science.
Water expects all published research to meet the highest standards of scientific integrity. Authors bear responsibility for research validity and ethical conduct of water studies.
- Data must be accurately reported without fabrication or falsification in water research
- Plagiarism in any form is prohibited and detected through screening in water manuscripts
- Duplicate submission to multiple journals simultaneously is not permitted
- Prior publication of water research in any format should be disclosed
All listed authors should meet ICMJE authorship criteria including substantial contributions, drafting involvement, final approval, and accountability. Ghost authorship and honorary authorship are prohibited for water publications.
Conflict disclosure: All authors must disclose potential conflicts of interest that might influence water research interpretation. Financial relationships with water industry stakeholders require declaration.
Research involving human subjects, animals, or environmental sampling requires appropriate ethical approvals. Authors must confirm compliance with relevant regulations governing water research methodology.
Water maintains procedures for correcting published errors and retracting articles when significant problems are identified. These actions maintain the integrity of the published water science record.
Questions About Policies?
Contact the editorial office for guidance on specific policy questions or ethical considerations for water research.
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