Instructions for Authors

Comprehensive guidelines for preparing and submitting water research manuscripts to the journal.

Journal of Water publishes several article formats, each with specific requirements tailored to its purpose and expected contribution to hydrology knowledge and water management practice.

Organize original water research manuscripts following standard scientific format. Clear structure enhances readability and facilitates peer review of hydrology research articles.

• Title page: Concise title (maximum 150 characters), all author names and affiliations, corresponding author contact, word count, and conflict disclosures
• Abstract: Structured format with background, methods, results, and conclusions. Include 4-6 keywords for indexing
• Introduction: Background context, research question rationale, and study objectives for water investigation
• Methods: Detailed methodology enabling replication, including sampling design, analytical methods, and statistical approaches
• Results: Objective findings without interpretation, organized logically with supporting tables and figures for water data
• Discussion: Interpretation of findings, comparison with existing water literature, limitations, and management implications
• References: Vancouver format throughout manuscript with proper citation of hydrology research sources

Proper formatting ensures consistent presentation and efficient processing of water manuscripts through the production workflow.

Water encourages authors to make research data and analysis code available for reproducibility. Consider depositing datasets in appropriate environmental data repositories with persistent identifiers.

• Water quality monitoring data may be deposited in environmental data portals
• Hydrological model code and parameters should be shared when feasible
• GIS datasets and geospatial analysis outputs enhance reproducibility
• Data availability statements should describe access conditions

All water research must comply with established ethical standards. Authors bear responsibility for ensuring appropriate approvals and permissions for field research and data collection.

• Field sampling permits and access agreements as required by jurisdiction
• Indigenous and community consultation where traditional waters are studied
• Environmental impact considerations for experimental manipulations
• Complete conflict of interest disclosure including industry relationships

Water recommends adherence to appropriate reporting guidelines based on study design. These standards ensure completeness and transparency in water science reporting.

• PRISMA: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of water literature
• STROBE: Observational studies of water quality or health outcomes
• ARRIVE: Animal studies where aquatic organisms are involved
• CONSORT: Randomized trials evaluating water interventions

Submit manuscripts through our online ManuscriptZone system. The platform guides authors through required information and document uploads for water submissions.

All water submissions undergo rigorous peer review by at least two qualified reviewers with relevant expertise in hydrology and water science. The review process evaluates scientific validity, methodological rigor, originality, and contribution to water research knowledge. Authors receive detailed feedback with constructive suggestions for improvement.

When revision is requested, authors should address all reviewer comments systematically with point-by-point responses. Highlight changes in the revised manuscript to facilitate re-review. Revisions are typically due within 30 days for minor and 60 days for major revisions.

Journal of Water provides ongoing support after publication. Published authors can request citation metrics, altmetric data, and usage statistics for their water research. The editorial team assists with corrections, author profile updates, and repository integration for long-term accessibility of hydrology publications.

The Journal of Water publishes several manuscript types with specific length guidelines. Original research articles should not exceed 5000 words excluding abstract, references, tables, and figure legends. Review articles may extend to 7000 words. Case studies are limited to 3000 words. Brief communications should not exceed 2000 words. Perspectives are typically 2000-3000 words on timely water resource topics.

All water manuscript submissions should include a cover letter addressed to the Editor-in-Chief describing study significance, confirming originality, declaring conflicts of interest, and suggesting potential reviewers if desired. Well-crafted cover letters help editors assess manuscript fit for water research publication.

Include a detailed author contributions statement specifying each author contribution using CRediT taxonomy categories including conceptualization, methodology, investigation, data curation, formal analysis, writing original draft, writing review and editing, visualization, supervision, and funding acquisition. All authors must meet ICMJE authorship criteria.

Authors are encouraged to deposit research datasets in appropriate public repositories. Water quality data, hydrological measurements, and environmental monitoring data should include appropriate metadata for reproducibility. Data availability statements are mandatory for all empirical water research submissions.

Water quality and environmental monitoring data should follow established standards for reporting. Include appropriate metadata, measurement units, detection limits, and quality control procedures for all water research datasets submitted to the journal.

Authors whose first language is not English are encouraged to use professional language editing services before submission. Contact our editorial office for information about available language editing options for water research manuscripts. Proper scientific terminology and clear methodology descriptions are essential for effective peer review.

Questions about manuscript formatting, figure requirements, or submission procedures should be directed to the editorial office for water research guidance.

Professional language editing services are available through the journal for authors who require assistance with English writing.