About the Journal

Focus and Scope

  1. The journal’s purpose is to disseminate scientific knowledge in Geography and related fields. It is guided by rigor and the quality of the contributions it publishes. It does not accept work that is not the product of research, such as dissertations, theses, or research projects that do not meet the standards of scientific writing.
  2. The target audience for the articles published includes society at large, with particular emphasis on researchers working on themes related to Geography and related fields.
  3. The journal welcomes submissions in the form of articles, interviews, translations, bibliographic reviews, and notes on theses, dissertations, and related works.
  4. We publish articles in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French. We also publish English translations of articles approved in any of those three languages, following the journal’s guidelines.

Peer Review Process

Manuscript evaluation

The journal will only consider manuscripts formatted in accordance with these Guidelines for Authors and whose subject matter falls within the journal’s scope. A preliminary review will assess the article's suitability for publication and its appeal to the magazine's audience; it must also comply with ethical standards and include a plagiarism report from CopySpider Software. Manuscripts that fail to meet these standards will be rejected.

Manuscripts considered potentially publishable in Geografares proceed through the editorial process, which includes the following stages:

a) Technical review – This stage is conducted by the journal’s editors (desk review). It focuses primarily on matters of form and scientific writing. The goal is to ensure that the manuscript complies with all items specified in the Guidelines for authors and is ready to enter the external peer-review process.

b) External peer review – The journal uses a double-masked review system. Ad hoc reviewers do not know the authors' identities, and their identities are not disclosed in the review reports sent to the authors. Each manuscript is sent to at least two external reviewers, chosen either from the Editorial Board or invited as ad hoc specialists. They assess the manuscript’s scientific merit and content based on the following criteria: originality and significance of the contribution; fit with the editorial line of Geografares; appropriateness of the methodology; adherence to ethical standards and research integrity; coherence between the proposed problem and the presentation and analysis of data; whether the data support the conclusions; clarity, coherence, and organization of the text; and identification of the manuscript’s main strengths and weaknesses. If the reviews conflict, the manuscript will be sent to a new reviewer with a similar profile to resolve the issue. The editors send the review request to the specialist along with a detailed standard evaluation form. Ad hoc reviewers must follow the Guidelines for Reviewers of Geografares, which are based on the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and are available at: https://publicationethics.org/files/Ethical_Guidelines_For_Peer_Reviewers_2.pdf. This peer-review process requires the author(s) to address the reviewers’ comments promptly and satisfactorily. Geografares reserves the right to reject articles whose revised versions ignore reviewers’ recommendations without a reasonable basis for justification.

c) Policy on opening the peer-review process
In line with the principles of Open Science, transparency, and integrity in scholarly communication, the journal adopts practices that promote greater openness in the peer-review process. The aim is to enhance academic debate, acknowledge reviewers' contributions, and improve editorial transparency.

Depending on the journal’s specific policy and the consent of the parties involved, the review process might include the following types of openness:

  • disclosure of the names of reviewers and authors after the editorial decision;
  • sharing of review reports, author responses, and revised manuscript versions;
  • sharing of review reports, author responses, and revised manuscript versions;

At the time of submission, authors can specify whether they agree to disclose review reports and their identities or choose to withhold that information. Reviewers can also sign their reports or remain anonymous.

Reviewers may also decide whether to sign their reports or stay anonymous.

Regardless of the model adopted, the journal ensures the confidentiality of the evaluation process and compliance with ethical standards, as well as impartiality and respect among authors, reviewers, and editors.

d) Editorial review – After receiving the peer reviews, the editors review the material and send it to the authors. At this stage, the manuscript will be classified into one of three categories:

(i) ACCEPTED (unconditional acceptance): The article must be published. The topic is highly relevant to the field, the contribution is innovative, and the manuscript is well written. Only minor corrections are needed, and the editorial team itself can make these.

(ii) REVISIONS REQUIRED (conditional acceptance): Authors must make minor or moderate revisions by the deadline set by the Editors. The article will then be sent back for re-evaluation. The Editors will check whether the ad hoc reviewers' suggestions were incorporated and whether there is sufficient justification for not doing so.

(iii) REJECTED (not accepted): The revisions needed are so significant that they would essentially create a new article. If that happens, the manuscript will be rejected, and the author can submit a different article later.

e) Copyediting review – Approved manuscripts are revised in Portuguese and undergo a technical review following ABNT standards. Some texts might be sent back to authors for consultation or approval of potential changes during this process. Afterward, the manuscript moves on to layout, final review, and publication.

The journal highlights that multiple rounds of revision might be needed at each stage.

Reviewers have up to 30 days to submit their evaluations. The average response time to authors is about 120 days, including reviews and final adjustments.

Comments will be sent to the authors along with a deadline to submit the revised manuscript. Authors should pay close attention to emails sent to the address provided during submission and to all response deadlines. Missing deadlines, especially without a valid reason, may lead to the discontinuation of the manuscript’s editorial process.

The editors decide the publication order, based on the thematic layout of each issue and any issues specifically assigned by the Editorial Board.

Authors must use their login and password on the journal’s website to verify if reviewers have asked questions or requested corrections.

Publication Frequency

Geografares follows a continuous publication schedule, issuing two issues annually. Issues may focus on specific themes or feature a variety of contributions.

Open Access Policy

This journal offers immediate open access to its content, based on the idea that free access to scientific knowledge encourages wider global democratization of knowledge.

Ethical principles and good practices

Statement of ethical principles in publication and good practices for the editors of Geografares

The publication of a peer-reviewed article, evaluated independently and anonymously, without revealing the authors or reviewers, is a core principle of Geografares. The journal outlines the ethical standards expected from all involved in publication: the author, the editors, and the Editorial Board members. These principles follow the COPE Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors.

Decisions on article publication

The Editor-in-Chief is in charge of publication. The Editorial Committee includes the Editor-in-Chief and the Associate Editors. This committee is responsible for setting the journal’s editorial policy and consulting the Editorial Board as needed. Editorial policies must comply with all relevant legal requirements regarding defamation, copyright infringement, plagiarism, and other publication-related issues.

Transparency and respect for diversity

Editors and members of the Editorial Board must assess submitted manuscripts regardless of the authors’ race, sex, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnic background, nationality, or political views.

Confidentiality

Editors and members of the Editorial Board must not disclose any information about a submitted manuscript, except to reviewers and editorial board members when necessary.

Disclosure and conflicts of interest

Unpublished material in a submitted manuscript must not be used in research by an editor or Editorial Board member without the author’s explicit written permission. Any personal, commercial, political, or financial conflicts of interest involving authors, reviewers, or editors must be disclosed.

Duties of Reviewers

Contribution to editorial decisions
Peer review helps the editor make decisions. Communication with the author can also improve the article.

Timeliness
Any reviewer who does not feel qualified to evaluate a manuscript or knows that a prompt review is not possible must immediately inform the editor.

Confidentiality
Any manuscript received for review must be treated as a confidential document. It must not be shown to or discussed with others except when authorized by the editor.

Standards of objectivity
Reviews must be conducted objectively. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. Reviewers must clearly express their opinions and support them with arguments.

On sources
Reviewers should identify relevant published works that the authors have not cited. They must also notify the editor of any significant similarity or overlap between the manuscript under review and other published papers they are personally aware of.

Disclosure and Conflict of Interest
Privileged information or ideas obtained through peer review must remain confidential and must not be used for personal gain. Reviewers must avoid evaluating manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest or relationships with any of the authors. Any personal, commercial, political, or financial conflicts of interest involving authors, reviewers, or editors must be disclosed.

Rights and Duties of Authors

Original research
Authors of manuscripts based on original research must present an accurate account of the work performed and provide an objective discussion of its significance. Supplementary data must be correctly included within the article. The manuscript must contain sufficient detail and references to allow replication when needed. Dishonest or knowingly false statements are considered unethical and unacceptable.

Open Data Policy

The journal promotes transparency, reproducibility, and the sharing of materials that support published research results. Whenever possible, authors should provide research data, code, instruments, and other analytical materials in trustworthy public repositories, accompanied by a persistent identifier (e.g., a DOI or a permanent link).

The manuscript must include a Data Availability Statement—in articles, this statement generally appears at the end—indicating:
(i) where the data can be accessed; or
(ii) that they are available upon request; or
(iii) the justification for access restrictions, when ethical, legal, or confidentiality constraints apply.

Models to be used:
(i) The data and materials underlying this study are publicly available in [repository], DOI/link: [insert].
(ii) The data and materials underlying this study are available from the authors upon request.
(iii) The data cannot be shared publicly due to ethical, legal, or confidentiality restrictions.

Shared data must be organized, documented, and anonymized when applicable. Data sharing— or a justified restriction—does not influence the editorial decision, but it is recommended good practice by the journal.

Originality and plagiarism
Authors must ensure their work is completely original. If they incorporate the work and/or words of others, they must cite them properly. The journal enforces a consistent plagiarism-detection policy, using software and requiring authors to provide a written declaration confirming the originality and exclusivity of their work. If plagiarism is found, authors will lose the right to publish in Geografares. The journal also commits to retracting or correcting articles found to contain plagiarism and to requiring authors to make necessary revisions. Editors pledge to publish corrections, clarifications, retractions, and apologies whenever needed.

Multiple Publication
An author must not publish manuscripts that essentially describe the same research in more than one journal. Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously, or publishing the same article in more than one journal or conference proceedings, is considered unethical and unacceptable.

On sources
Authors must cite the publications that were important in shaping the nature of the work being reported.

Authorship
All individuals who made significant contributions must be listed as coauthors of the article. All coauthors must review and approve the final version of the manuscript and must agree to its submission for publication.

Policy on submission of manuscripts previously posted as preprints
In line with Open Science principles and good scholarly communication practices, the journal considers for review manuscripts that have been previously uploaded to public preprint servers.

Posting a manuscript to a preprint server is considered an initial sharing of research findings. It does not count as prior publication and does not hinder submission or peer review.

Authors must:

  • inform the journal, at the time of submission, that the manuscript has been posted on a preprint server;
  • indicate the name of the repository, the DOI or persistent identifier, and the access link;
  • ensure that they hold the necessary copyright to submit and publish the work;
  • after publishing the article, update the preprint record with the complete reference and DOI of the final published version in the journal.

The journal does not accept manuscripts that have already been formally published or are currently under review by journals, books, or other venues with formal editorial review.

Additional versions of the manuscript must not be posted during the review process without prior approval from the editorial team.

Hazards involving humans or animals
If the work involves chemicals, procedures, or equipment that present any unusual hazards inherent to their use, the authors must clearly identify these in the manuscript.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
All authors must disclose in the manuscript any financial or other conflict that could be interpreted as influencing the results or the interpretation of the manuscript. All sources of financial support for the project must also be disclosed.

Fundamental Errors in Published Works
When an author finds a significant error or inaccuracy in a published work, they must promptly notify the journal editor or publisher and cooperate with the editor to correct the article.

Institutional support of the journal

Since 2022, the journal has consistently received support through multiple calls for proposals for editing and publishing journals issued by the Espírito Santo Research Foundation (FAPES). The most recent is FAPES Call No. 19/2023.

The journal is also supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) through CNPq Call No. 30/2023 – Editorial Program.

We thank the different sectors of the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES) that support the journal and enable its current condition and ongoing progress.

 

Cataloging Information for the Journal

ISSN: 2175-3709 – Vitória, ES – December 2010
Publisher: Editora da Geografia
Institution: Federal University of Espírito Santo
Av. Fernando Ferrari, 514 – Goiabeiras, Vitória – Espírito Santo
CEP: 29075-910
Brazil

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