About the Journal

FOCUS AND SCOPE

Científica: Revista de Ciências Agrárias (ISSN 1984-5529) is an open access journal, published on a quarterly basis, dedicated to the dissemination of unpublished scientific articles, scientific notes and bibliographic reviews, reviewed by a qualified editorial board, which contribute to the expansion of the knowledge in the sub-areas of Agricultural Sciences related to Agronomy/Agronomic Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Animal Science, Rural Economy, Agribusiness and other related sub-areas. The journal publishes articles in Portuguese, Spanish and English, however, authors are encouraged to publish in English.

PUBLICATION FREQUENCY

The Científica: Revista de Ciências Agrárias is a quarterly scientific journal (four issues a year).

EDITORIAL POLICY

Contributions for disseminating original research results that can be reproduced and generalized (scientific article) and that have not yet been published, except in preliminary form (Summaries in scientific events), are prioritized for publication.

Articles are also published in the form of a scientific note and a bibliographic review. It is understood as a scientific note, an article that describes in a concise but complete, limited research that cannot be included in a scientific paper to be published. The scientific note must be documented by references and must contain a description of the experimental procedures employed. A scientific note may also be the report of relevant scientific or technical facts, obtained by means of scientific precepts, that may suggest new investigations. It may also be the description of varieties or botanical species or animals of agronomic or zootechnical interest. A bibliographical review article should aim to present in a critical and not only descriptive way, the state of the art of one of the specific areas or subareas of the Agrarian Sciences. Therefore, a bibliographic review article will only be submitted by invitation of the Editorial Committee of the journal to a specialist author in the area.

All work that is in accordance with the editorial policy of the journal will be submitted to the Editorial Committee for consideration of its merit. For evaluation, reviewers of recognized competence in the theme of the work will be indicated.

The anonymity of authors and reviewers is maintained throughout the evaluation process and the reviewers' anonymity also after the publication of the manuscript as a scientific article.

a) Manuscript Evaluation Process

Firstly, all articles received are evaluated by Editor-in-Chief. The evaluation process is initiated when the manuscript is approved in pre-selection criteria. In order to assess the quality of manuscripts, before they are published, the journal adopts double-blind peer review. Thus, the manuscript is directed to a Section Editor according to his submission area, who will choose at least two experts already registered in the Científica, to evaluate the manuscript.

The referees’ evaluation is sent to the Section Editor that contacts the corresponding author to make corrections when necessary. After acceptance by referees and Section Editor the manuscript is directed to Editor-in-Chief for final acceptance and language review (English, Portuguese or Spanish), when it is sent to layout editor. Upon receiving the arguments and corrections of the ad hoc Reviewers, the authors of the manuscript are allowed to counter-arguments to the notes made by the ad hoc Reviewers, via the journal's electronic system.

The reviewers are independent researchers specialized in the manuscript research area and they evaluate the submitted manuscripts for their originality, validity and significance. Reviewers are not aware of authors' names or affiliations, and reviewer reports received by authors are anonymous. Reviewers contribute to improving the quality of manuscripts and assist editors in deciding whether the manuscript should be published.

The Journal has a comprehensive list of reviewers, who reside both in Brazil and abroad, in the following areas of concentration: Agronomy/Agronomic Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Animal Science, Rural Economics and other related sub-areas.

b) Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement

 The Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement of the Científica journal is built in accordance to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Code of Conduct guidelines available at www.publicationethics.org, and guidelines from Cambridge University Press

(https://www.cambridge.org/core/about/ethical-standards).

The act of publishing a peer-reviewed article is responsibility of all parties involved in it (Publisher, Editors, Authors, and Reviewers), so that developing a coherent and respected network of knowledge is essential and it is a direct reflection of the quality of the work of all parties.

The journal’s responsibilities

Autonomy of editorial decisions, so that advertising or other commercial income has no impact or influence on editorial decisions. Warranty and protection of intellectual property and copyright. Take appropriate providence (correction, errata or even retraction) in cases of proven scientific misconduct, fraudulent publication or plagiarism.

The editor’s responsibilities

To act in a balanced, objective and fair way while carrying out their expected duties, without discrimination on grounds of gender, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs, ethnic or geographical origin of the authors.

To handle submissions for sponsored supplements or special issues in the same way as other submissions, so that articles are considered and accepted solely on their academic merit and without commercial influence.

To adopt and follow reasonable procedures in the event of complaints of an ethical or conflict nature, in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Society where appropriate. To give authors a reasonable opportunity to respond to any complaints. All complaints should be investigated no matter when the original publication was approved. Documentation associated with any such complaints should be retained.

Publication decision based on an intellectual analysis of the manuscript and a critical analysis of the reviewers' reports. 'Fair play' in the evaluation of the manuscript, for intellectual criteria only. Maintain the confidentiality of information about authors and manuscript content.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest oriented according to COPE guidelines (https://publicationethics.org/files/u7141/1999pdf13.pdf).

The authors’ responsibilities

To maintain accurate records of data associated with their submitted manuscript, and to supply or provide access to these data, on reasonable request. Where appropriate and where allowed by employer, funding body and others who might have an interest, to deposit data in a suitable repository or storage location, for sharing and further use by others.

To confirm/assert that the manuscript as submitted is not under consideration or accepted for publication elsewhere. Where portions of the content overlap with published or submitted content, to acknowledge and cite those sources. Additionally, to provide the editor with a copy of any submitted manuscript that might contain overlapping or closely related content.

To confirm that all the work in the submitted manuscript is original and to acknowledge and cite content reproduced from other sources. To obtain permission to reproduce any content from other sources.

Authors should ensure that any studies involving human or animal subjects conform to national, local and institutional laws and requirements (e.g. WMA Declaration of Helsinki, NIH Policy on Use of Laboratory Animals, EU Directive on Use of Animals) and confirm that approval has been sought and obtained where appropriate. Authors should obtain express permission from human subjects and respect their privacy.

To declare any potential conflicts of interest (e.g. where the author has a competing interest (real or apparent) that could be considered or viewed as exerting an undue influence on his or her duties at any stage during the publication process).

To notify promptly the journal editor or publisher if a significant error in their publication is identified. To cooperate with the editor and publisher to publish an erratum, addendum, corrigendum notice, or to retract the paper, where this is deemed necessary.

Originality of results and no plagiarism in the manuscript.

Ensure that the manuscript is not a multiple, redundant or competing publication.

Source Acknowledgment must be properly given.

Manuscript authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution and/or interpretation of the reported research. Dangers and human or animal matters must be indicated. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest oriented according to COPE guidelines (https://publicationethics.org/files/u7141/1999pdf13.pdf).

Reviewers' responsibilities

To contribute to the decision-making process, and to assist in improving the quality of the published paper by reviewing the manuscript objectively, in a timely manner.

Readiness to accept or reject the invitation as a referee. Maintain the confidentiality of information about authors and manuscript content.

Standards of objectivity must be followed, so that reviews must be conducted objectively, without personal criticism (which is unacceptable) and in ways in which the referee's views must have supporting arguments.

To alert the editor to any published or submitted content that is substantially similar to that under review.

To be aware of any potential conflicts of interest (financial, institutional, collaborative or other relationships between the reviewer and author) and to alert the editor to these, if necessary withdrawing their services for that manuscript.

Procedures for dealing with unethical behavior

Identification of unethical behavior

Misconduct and unethical behavior may be identified and brought to the attention of the editor and publisher at any time, by anyone.

Misconduct and unethical behavior may include, but need not be limited to, examples as outlined above.

Whoever informs the editor or publisher of such conduct should provide sufficient information and evidence for an investigation to be initiated. All allegations should be taken seriously and treated in the same way, until a successful decision or conclusion is reached.

Investigation

An initial decision should be taken by the editor, who should consult with or seek advice from the publisher, if appropriate.

Evidence should be gathered, while avoiding spreading any allegations beyond those who need to know.

 Minor breaches

Minor misconduct might be dealt with without the need to consult more widely. In any event, the author should be given the opportunity to respond to any allegations.

  Serious breaches

Serious misconduct might require that the employers of the accused be notified. The editor, in consultation with the publisher or Society as appropriate, should make the decision whether to involve the employers, either by examining the available evidence themselves or by further consultation with a limited number of experts.

  Outcomes

In increasing order of severity, may be applied separately or in conjunction.

• Informing or educating the author or reviewer where there appears to be a misunderstanding or misapplication of acceptable standards.
• A more strongly worded letter to the author or reviewer covering the misconduct and as a warning to future behavior.
• Publication of a formal notice detailing the misconduct.
• Publication of an editorial detailing the misconduct.
• A formal letter to the head of the author's or reviewer's department or funding agency.
• Formal retraction or withdrawal of a publication from the journal, in conjunction with informing the head of the author or reviewer's department, Abstracting & Indexing services and the readership of the publication.
• Imposition of a formal embargo on contributions from an individual for a defined period.

Reporting the case and outcome to a professional organization or higher authority for further investigation and action.

OPEN ACCESS POLICY

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

ARCHIVING

This journal uses the LOCKSS system (https://www.lockss.org/community/publishers-titles-gln/) to create permanent journal files for the preservation and restoration.

SPONSORS

Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - Unesp

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq

THE JOURNAL HISTORY

The Científica was created in 1979 by merging Científica, an Agronomy Journal, established in 1974 in Jaboticabal Campus, Unesp, and the journal Botucatu Científica published in Botucatu Campus, Unesp, in order to become the journal of Agronomy of the Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, then known only as Científica. In the period from 1980 to 2002, it was part of the publications of Editora Unesp Foundation in São Paulo. In 2003, its publication returned to the Jaboticabal Campus of Unesp. Aiming to expand its editorial scope, it gained a new format and started to publish Animal Husbandry articles. Then, its title changed to Científica: Journal of Agricultural Sciences.

Until the volume 32, number 1, 2004, the issues were published only in print. From the volume 32, number 2, 2004 until the volume 34, number 1, 2006, the issues were also available online. From the volume 34, number 2, 2006, only the online electronic journal is available.

In 2009, the journal was added to the OJS (Open Journal System), making available all articles published on its website from the volume 32, number 2, 2004, free of charge and with unrestricted access. In 2021, the journal migrated to the Dracena Campus – Unesp. During the time he was in Jaboticabal, the journal was managed and published by the Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão (FUNEP).