Editorial PoliciesJournal of Weather Changes
Integrity and transparency guide editorial decisions for climate research.
Editorial Independence
Editorial decisions are based on scientific merit, methodological quality, and relevance to atmospheric science.
Core Policy Areas
Peer Review
Independent expert evaluation for quality and validity.
Ethics
Human and animal research must meet approved protocols.
Conflicts
Disclosures required for authors, editors, and reviewers.
Integrity
Plagiarism screening and corrections protect trust.
Peer Review Workflow
How decisions are made
Screening
- Scope and compliance checks.
Review
- Experts evaluate rigor and impact.
Decision
- Editors synthesize feedback.
Post Publication
- Corrections or updates issued if needed.
Corrections and Retractions
We maintain the scholarly record with transparent actions.
| Issue | Action | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Error | Correction notice | Clarifies record. |
| Major Error | Expression of concern | Alerts readers. |
| Ethical Breach | Retraction | Protects integrity. |
Ethics First
Submissions that do not meet ethical requirements may be rejected before peer review.
Editors may request data or documentation to resolve concerns.
Publish With Integrity
Submit to JWC and benefit from transparent editorial standards.
Submit via ManuscriptZoneSimple SubmissionEmail: [email protected]
Appeals and Complaints
Authors may appeal decisions with a reasoned response and supporting evidence. Complaints are reviewed transparently.
Data Integrity
Editors may request original data to resolve concerns about reliability or reproducibility.
Authorship Criteria
Authorship is limited to contributors who approve the final manuscript. Contribution statements clarify roles.
AI Tool Disclosure
If AI tools were used for language editing or analysis, disclose the tool name and purpose.
Peer Review Model
JWC uses independent expert review. Editors select reviewers for methodological fit and topic expertise to ensure balanced and constructive feedback.
Conflict of Interest
Authors, editors, and reviewers must disclose financial, institutional, or personal conflicts that could influence decisions. Undisclosed conflicts may lead to editorial action.
Similarity Screening
All submissions are screened for plagiarism and redundant publication. Significant overlap must be explained and properly cited.
Data and Code Availability
We encourage data and code sharing to support reproducibility. When access is restricted, authors should explain limitations and provide metadata or access conditions.
Research Misconduct
Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data violates policy. The journal follows clear procedures for investigation and reporting when concerns arise.
Human and Animal Ethics
Studies involving human participants, animals, or sensitive data require documented ethics approval and consent statements where applicable.
Funding Transparency
Authors must disclose funding sources and grant numbers. Transparency helps readers understand potential influences and supports compliance reporting.
Editorial Conflicts
Editors recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where conflicts exist. Alternate editors are assigned to protect impartiality.
Preprints and Prior Publication
Preprints are allowed when disclosed. Submissions should be original and not under consideration elsewhere.
Post Publication Updates
When corrections are required, we publish clear notices linked to the original article. This keeps the scholarly record accurate and transparent.
Reviewer Conduct
Reviewers are expected to provide objective, respectful feedback and disclose conflicts. Inappropriate reviews are removed and replacements assigned.
Confidentiality
All manuscripts and review materials are confidential. Sharing or using unpublished data without permission is prohibited.
Data Citation
When datasets or software are used, cite them properly with DOIs or persistent identifiers. Proper citation improves reproducibility and credit.
Image Integrity
Images and figures must not be manipulated in ways that misrepresent results. Editors may request original files for verification.
Policy Updates
Editorial policies are reviewed regularly to reflect evolving best practices in open science and research integrity.
Corrections Timeline
When issues are identified, the editorial team works with authors to verify facts and publish updates promptly. Timely corrections protect readers and preserve trust.
Ethics Documentation
Authors should retain ethics approvals, consent forms, and data management plans. Editors may request documentation if questions arise during review.
Third Party Material
If you reuse figures, data, or maps from other sources, obtain permissions and provide proper attribution. This prevents copyright conflicts after publication.
Transparency in Methods
Methods should be described in enough detail to allow replication. Editors may request additional methodological details or supplementary files to clarify uncertainties. This supports reproducibility and strengthens confidence in complex modeling or observational results for readers.
