Submissions

Author Guidelines

1. Scope and Mission

The Indian Journal of Soil Conservation (IJSC) publishes original research articles, reviews, short communications, and technical notes on all aspects of soil and water conservation. The journal focuses on integrating research findings with practical applications to promote sustainable management of land and water resources. Submissions must be relevant to soil and water resources conservation and may include topics like erosion control, watershed management, soil fertility, and related fields.

2. Types of Manuscripts

• Original Research Articles: These should report novel findings and make substantial contributions to the field. The manuscript should be comprehensive, including an abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion, and references.
• Review Articles: Review articles should provide critical overviews of recent advances and developments in soil and water conservation. Reviews should be comprehensive, include extensive references, and may identify future research directions.
• Short Communications: Brief reports on new findings that are significant but do not require a full-length article. They should be concise, usually not exceeding 3,000 words.
• Technical Notes: These are shorter, focused papers reporting new methodologies, techniques, or case studies. The format is flexible but must include an introduction, methods, and results sections.

3. Manuscript Preparation

Authors are required to prepare their manuscripts according to the following guidelines:

3.1 General Format

• Language and Style: Manuscripts should be written in clear, concise English. Authors should ensure consistency in spelling, either American or British English, but not both. Non-native English speakers are encouraged to have their manuscripts reviewed by a native speaker or professional editing service before submission. This can help improve clarity and readability. Sentences should be structured clearly to avoid misinterpretation. Passive voice should be used sparingly. Prefer active voice for clarity and directness. Use precise technical terms appropriate for the subject matter. Authors should avoid jargon where possible and define any specialist terms that may be unfamiliar to a general readership.

• Abbreviations and Acronyms: When using abbreviations or acronyms, spell out the full term upon first use, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. Afterwards, the acronym may be used alone (e.g., “Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)”).
• Units of Measurement: Authors must use the International System of Units (SI) for all measurements. If other units are essential, they should be included in parentheses after the SI unit. Do not mix unit systems (e.g., don’t combine metric and imperial units). For example, use either cm or inches throughout the manuscript, not both
• Font and Spacing: Use a standard font (e.g., Times New Roman, 12 pt) with double-spacing throughout the manuscript.
• Margins: Set 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins on all sides.
• Page Layout: Use standard A4 paper size, with page numbers at the bottom centre of each page.

3.2 Manuscript Sections

• Title Page: Include the title of the manuscript, author names (first name, middle initial, and surname), affiliations, and contact information for the corresponding author. Also, include a running title of no more than 50 characters.
• Abstract: Provide a concise research summary in 250 words or less. The abstract should highlight the objectives, methods, key results, and conclusions.
• Keywords: List 4-6 keywords below the abstract to facilitate indexing.
• Introduction: Clearly state the research problem, objectives, and relevance. Provide a brief review of the relevant literature and explain the significance of the study.

• Materials and Methods: Provide detailed information on the experimental design, materials used, and methods employed so that the research can be replicated. Include information on the statistical methods used for data analysis. It should be detailed, organised, and transparent. Arrange this section in a logical order, typically following the sequence in which experiments or procedures were conducted. Subheadings may be used to improve clarity. Provide enough detail to allow another researcher to replicate your study. Any modifications to previously established methods should be described. Where applicable, provide the source and specifications (e.g., manufacturer, catalogue number) for any materials, reagents, or software used. For field studies, describe the location, including geographical coordinates, climatic conditions, and any other relevant environmental data. Describe the overall design of the experiment, including control and treatment groups, randomisation, or blocking factors. Specify the number of replicates and explain the rationale behind the chosen sample size. Provide detailed information about materials such as chemicals, reagents, and organisms (e.g., plant varieties, soil types, or animal species). If using proprietary or commercially available products, mention the name and source. Explain how the experiments were conducted. If the methods are based on previously published work, cite the original sources and briefly describe any modifications. Include details about equipment, software, or tools used, including their manufacturer and version if applicable. For experimental data, provide details on sampling methods and instruments used. Explain the criteria used to collect and analyse the data for observational studies. Clearly describe the statistical methods used to analyse the data, including software (with version) and statistical tests. Justify the choice of statistical tests and any assumptions made during analysis.

• Results: Present your findings clearly and logically, using tables and figures as necessary following the sequence of experiments or research questions posed. Reserve any interpretation or discussion of results for the Discussion section. The Results section should strictly present facts. Use subheadings to organise different parts of your findings, especially in complex or multi-faceted studies where appropriate. Use tables and figures to present data clearly. Ensure that these visuals complement the text and avoid redundancy. Each table and figure should be accompanied by a descriptive caption, allowing them to be understood independently. Summarise the key findings in the text, referencing figures and tables as needed (e.g., "As shown in Table 2, the soil organic content increased by 15% in the treated plot"). Avoid repeating all the details from the tables/figures; focus on highlighting trends or significant findings. Report statistical results (e.g., means, standard deviations, confidence intervals, and p-values). Specify whether the differences observed are statistically significant and at what level (e.g., p < 0.05). Include any adverse or unexpected results. These are important for providing a complete account of the research and may influence the interpretation of the discussion.

• Discussion: The Discussion section interprets the results, placing them in context with existing knowledge and drawing broader conclusions. You address your findings' significance, implications, and limitations here. Begin by summarising the key findings, then provide an interpretation of what these results mean in the context of your research questions. Compare and contrast your findings with previously published research. Discuss whether your results confirm, contradict, or expand on earlier studies. Be cautious not to overstate the implications of your results. Clearly distinguish between findings that are well-supported by data and any hypotheses or speculations. Briefly restate the most important results and explain their relevance. Relate your findings to existing literature and explain how your research contributes to the field. This may include confirming or challenging established theories. Cite relevant studies and explain how your findings align with or diverge from these. Explain the underlying biological, chemical, physical, or ecological mechanisms that might account for the observed results where possible. Acknowledge any limitations in your study design, data collection, or analysis. This shows transparency and strengthens your credibility as a researcher. If there were any unexpected challenges or sources of error, discuss how they might have affected the results. Suggest areas where future research is needed. This can include unresolved questions, gaps in the current understanding, or ideas for improving experimental methods. For applied research, discuss how the findings could be implemented in real-world scenarios or influence policy, management practices, or further technological developments. The discussion can be combined with the results section if appropriate.

• Conclusion: The Conclusion section is a concise summary of the research findings and their broader significance. It typically wraps up the manuscript by reinforcing the main takeaways. The conclusion should be brief. Begin by briefly restating the original research question or objective and how it was addressed in your study. Avoid repeating detailed discussions or over-explaining results. Emphasise the most important findings from your study. This is where you highlight the core message you want readers to remember. Summarise the broader implications of your work for the field and, where applicable, for policy or practice. Summarise the most important findings or results from the study. Do not introduce new data or interpretations in this section. Highlight the novel contributions or insights gained from the research. Discuss the broader implications of your research for scientific understanding, practical applications, or policy. This may include addressing how your research adds to or changes what is already known. Suggest areas for future research or the next steps that could build on your findings. Conclude with a forward-looking statement, showing how your study can be a foundation for further exploration.

• Acknowledgments: Acknowledge financial support, contributions from non-authors, and any other assistance received during the research and manuscript preparation.
• References: Use a citation style consistent with the journal’s requirements (e.g., APA). References should be listed alphabetically by the last name of the first author and must include all authors' names, year of publication, title, journal name, volume, and page numbers. Ensure all references cited in the text are included in the reference list and vice versa. Cite recent and relevant literature to support your arguments. Avoid over-reliance on self-citations or references that are not publicly available.
• Tables: Tables should be formatted using a simple, straightforward style without excessive shading or borders. Avoid using vertical lines, and minimise horizontal lines to essential separators. All tables should be numbered consecutively in the order they appear in the text (e.g., Table 1, Table 2). Each table must have a brief, descriptive title placed above the table. The title should provide enough detail to understand the table without referencing the text. Footnotes can be used to explain symbols or provide additional information. These should be denoted with superscript letters (a, b, c) and placed below the table. Place each table on a separate page at the end of the manuscript. Indicate the approximate location for the table in the main text (e.g., "Insert Table 1 here"). Ensure that data in tables is not duplicated in the figures. Presenting the same data in multiple formats is discouraged.
• Figures: Figures must be high quality with a resolution of at least 300 dpi. Submit figures in a standard format (e.g., JPEG, PNG, TIFF) for clear print and online reproduction. Figures should also be numbered sequentially in the order in which they appear in the text (e.g., Figure 1, Figure 2). Use Arabic numerals. Provide a descriptive caption for each figure. Captions should be placed below the figure and should include enough information for the figure to be understood without referring to the text.  If colour is used, ensure it is essential for the data interpretation.  Ensure that all text in figures (axis labels, legends, etc.) is legible and appropriately sized. Like tables, figures should be placed on separate pages at the end of the manuscript. Indicate where they should appear in the text (e.g., "Insert Figure 1 here").
• Supplementary Material: Authors may submit supplementary files that complement the main manuscript. This may include additional datasets, figures, tables, videos, or methodological details that are not critical to the core manuscript but may benefit readers seeking more in-depth information. Acceptable file formats for supplementary material include PDF, DOCX, CSV, XLSX, PNG, JPEG and TIFF. Supplementary material should enhance the understanding of the research, but its absence should not affect the interpretation of the paper. It will be made available online but not included in the print version of the journal. Supplementary files must be uploaded separately through the online submission system and labelled appropriately (e.g., “Supplementary Table 1”, “Supplementary Figure 1”). All supplementary materials should be referred to within the manuscript text, with clear labels (e.g., “see Supplementary Table 1”). Authors are encouraged to provide datasets that support their research. If large datasets are submitted, authors should ensure the data is organised and annotated clearly so that readers can understand and use the data effectively.

4. Submission Guidelines

• Submission System: Manuscripts must be submitted through the journal’s online submission system. Authors must create an account or log in to submit their manuscripts.
• Cover Letter: A cover letter must accompany the submission, briefly explaining the significance of the research and the type of manuscript and confirming that the manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere.
• Supplementary Material: Authors may submit supplementary materials (e.g., datasets, additional figures) that support the manuscript. These will be made available online.
• Ethics and Disclosures: Authors must adhere to ethical standards in research and publishing. This includes avoiding plagiarism, ensuring data accuracy, and disclosing any potential conflicts of interest. Any research involving human subjects or animals must have received appropriate ethical approval.
• Peer Review Process: All submissions will undergo a double-masked peer review process. Authors may suggest potential reviewers, but the editor makes the final decision.

5. Post-Acceptance

Once a manuscript is accepted, authors will receive proofs for review. It is the author's responsibility to check these carefully and return any corrections within the specified timeframe. The final version will be published online before print.

6. Ethical Considerations

Maintaining high ethical standards is crucial in academic publishing. Authors submitting to the journal must adhere to the following ethical guidelines. The journal reserves the right to reject submissions or take corrective actions if these standards are violated.

6.1 Research Ethics

All submitted research must comply with ethical standards. Authors must ensure their research is conducted responsibly, ethically, and by all relevant guidelines and laws. For field studies involving sensitive ecosystems or protected areas, appropriate permits must be obtained, and a statement of approval from the governing bodies should be provided in the manuscript. Authors must ensure that all data in their manuscript is accurate, complete, and not manipulated. Fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate manipulation of data is considered unethical and will lead to the rejection of the manuscript.

6.2 Plagiarism

Plagiarism is strictly prohibited. Plagiarism includes copying text, ideas, images, or data from another source without proper citation. The journal uses plagiarism detection tools to screen submissions, and any manuscript found to contain plagiarised content will be rejected. Reusing one's own previously published work without citation, also known as self-plagiarism, is unacceptable. Authors must avoid submitting previously published material as new content. All data, ideas, or text taken from other sources must be properly cited. Direct quotations must be marked with quotation marks and appropriately referenced. Manuscripts must not be submitted to more than one journal simultaneously. Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals constitutes a breach of ethics and will result in rejection or retraction

6.3 Conflict of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial, personal, or professional relationships that could be seen as influencing their research. Any financial support, sponsorships, or grants received from commercial entities or other organisations must be declared in the manuscript. The journal expects full disclosure of potential conflicts of interest that could influence the interpretation of the research results. If any authors have personal relationships with editors, reviewers, or other individuals involved in the publication process, this must be disclosed to ensure impartiality. Authors who are also involved in the editorial or review process for the journal must recuse themselves from handling their submissions or those of close colleagues.

6.4 Data Sharing and Transparency

The journal encourages transparency in research by promoting the sharing of data and methods that support the findings of the submitted manuscript. Authors must provide details on how the research data can be accessed (e.g., by including a data availability statement). If the data cannot be shared publicly, authors must explain why (e.g., privacy restrictions or legal concerns). The methods and datasets used in the research must be described in sufficient detail to allow others to replicate the findings. Any restrictions on data access should be clearly stated in the manuscript. Authors are responsible for informing the journal if an error or inaccuracy is discovered in the published research. The journal will issue retractions or corrections if needed to maintain the integrity of the scientific record.

6.5 Authorship Criteria

All listed authors must meet the criteria for authorship as defined by international guidelines (e.g., ICMJE guidelines). Each author should have contributed substantially to the manuscript's conception, design, data acquisition, analysis, interpretation, drafting, or revision. All those who contributed significantly should be listed as authors. Each author must be able to take responsibility for their contribution and ensure that the work is accurate and ethically sound. All authors must approve the final manuscript version before submission. The order of authors should be determined by the significance of each author's contribution, and all authors should agree on this order. The authors must resolve disputes over authorship before submission.  Individuals who contributed to the research but did not meet the criteria for authorship (e.g., providing technical help or assistance with data collection) should be acknowledged in the acknowledgements section. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all individuals mentioned have agreed to be acknowledged.

• Ethical Review and Complaints

The journal has an established process for dealing with ethical concerns raised during the submission, review, or post-publication phases. If the journal identifies a potential ethical violation, the editorial board will investigate, including contacting the authors’ institutions for further clarification. Sanctions may include rejection, retraction, or a ban on future submissions. Authors, reviewers, or readers who believe there has been an ethical breach can file a formal complaint with the journal. Complaints will be handled confidentially and reviewed by the editorial board in line with COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines. If an author disagrees with a decision made by the editorial board based on ethical grounds, they have the right to appeal the decision. Appeals should be made in writing and will be reviewed by an independent panel.

7. Copyright and Licensing

Authors must sign a copyright transfer agreement upon acceptance of their manuscript. The journal offers open-access options, and authors can choose to have their articles published under various licensing agreements.