About the Journal
Focus and Scope
The aim of DEBATES magazine, edited by the Núcleo de Pesquisa Sobre a América Latina (NUPESAL- Research Center on Latin America) in association with the Graduate Program in Political Science at UFRGS, is to create a space for debate and discussions about contemporary issues in the area of Human/Political Sciences, from a multiplicity of perspectives. In this sense, the magazine is seated on a diversity of expressions and the recognition of theoretical and methodological multidisciplinarity. We accept contributions coming from different fields of study, favoring those related to Political Science, that offer relevant contributions addressing a deeper and alternative understanding of the topics being focused within the requirements of a scientific work.
The motivation for this publication comes from the observation that there is a lack of publications in the referred area on the one hand and, on the other, there was an increasing demand on the part of authors who needed a space for their alternative reflections.
Hence, the magazine is organized in thematic numbers as well as those of free multi themes. Articles, research appointments, essays and reviews in Portuguese, English and Spanish are accepted and the selected articles for publication can be translated to Portuguese.
Peer Review Process
Articles and Essays:
Articles and essays submitted to Debates are sent to the Executive Editorial Committee, which evaluates if the work is in accordance with publishing guidelines. Once it is approved by the Committee, the article/essay is submitted to blind evaluation by peers. In case both referees express the ACCEPTANCE or REJECTION of the contribution, their decision is endorsed by the magazine. If one referee accepts while the other rejects, the article/essay may be sent to a third referee who will make a final decision.
In some situations, authors may be REQUIRED to REVIEW or SUBMIT the work AGAIN FOR EVALUATION. In both cases the article/essay will be re-sent to the author (s) and a rewrite will be requested. In the first case, if the mandatory requests are satisfied, the revised version of the article/essay will be accepted for publication without going through peer review again. In the second case, the reviewed version of the article/essay will once more be sent to evaluation to the same peer who asked for the modifications. A favorable opinion for publication will follow the schedule organized by the Committee.
Reviews and Research Appointments:
The evaluation policy of Reviews and Research Reports is the same as that of Articles and will be conducted by a peer.
Evaluation Criteria:
The articles submitted to Debates will be evaluated according to the following evaluation guidelines:
1. Contributions must be presented as articles, reviews or research reports;
2. The title must represent the content of the work;
3. The abstract must have information such as problem, hypotheses or questions, methodology, results and conclusions;
4. The key-words must reflecting the content of the topic presented;
5. Images, charts, tables and maps must be clear, illustrative and pertinent to the text;
6. The title, abstract and key-words must be presented in portuguese and english.
7. The bibliography must be presented in accordance with the rules of the magazine (ABNT);
8. The text must present theoretical coherence;
9. The methodology must be consistent and properly used;
10. Empirical date must be congruent with the theory used;
11. Works mentioned in the text must be listed in the bibliography;
12. Usage of IA should be acknowledged.
Deadlines:
Considering that the magazine is edited every four months, the following dates for submission of works are advised (except when articles are ordered by the magazine):
December 15 – evaluation aiming at possible publication in April of the following year;
April 15 – evaluation aiming at possible publication in August;
August 15 – evaluation aiming at possible publication in December.
The publications will always be available in April, August and December. Our advice to peers is to set aside 15 days in average to finish the evaluation of contributions.
Recruitment of peers:
The criteria for the recruitment of peers will be based on: area of expertise; academic production on the theme; recognition on the part of the intellectual community.
Publication Frequency
Considering the periodicity of the magazine is every four months, it is advised that works submitted for evaluation aiming for publication in the following edition be sent in the following deadlines:
v.1 (Jan. – Apr. of every year): submissions received until December 15 of the previous year.
v.2 (May – Aug. of every year): submissions received until April 15 of the current year.
v.3 (Sept. – Dec. of every year): submissions received until August 15 of the current year.
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.
Indexers
EBSCO; Sumarios de Revistas Brasileiras; Google Academic; Diadorim; Oasisbr.
