About the Journal

Focus and Scope

For over 30 years, Journal of Ethnobiology has been publishing manuscripts based on original research in all areas of ethnobiology, the interdisciplinary study of past and present relationships between humans and their biological worlds. Research areas published in JoE include but are not limited to paleoethnobotany, zooarchaeology, ethnobotany, ethnozoology, ethnoecology, linguistic ethnobiology, and other related fields of study within anthropology and biology. JoE does not limit itself to a single perspective or approach, but seeks to represent the diversity of the field of ethnobiology (including cognitive, symbolic, linguistic, ecological, and economic aspects of human interactions with the living world). Papers that significantly advance theory or methodology are particularly welcome. JoE does not publish uncontextualized data such as species lists; appropriate submissions must elaborate on the cultural context of findings.

Peer Review Process

The Journal of Ethnobiology is peer-reviewed. Upon receipt of a manuscript, the editors will determine its appropriateness for the journal. Suitable manuscripts will be sent out for review. When the reviews are received, the editor will decide the status of the manuscript: accepted (acceptance contingent on any necessary minor revisions and corrections, proper formatting, publication quality illustrations, and completeness); authors encouraged to revise and resubmit (reconsideration contingent on more substantial additions, re-writing, or re-organization); or rejected. Revised and resubmitted manuscripts may be sent for further external review and further revisions requested. Final decisions concerning publication are made by the editors.

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

Author Responsibilities

  1. Authors must certify that their manuscripts are their original work, that they do not plagiarize (as the COPE discussion defines plagiarism), and that they truthfully present data.
  2. Authors must certify that the manuscript has not previously been published elsewhere.
  3. Authors must certify that the maunscript is not currently being considered for publication elsewhere.
  4. Authors must certify that all relevant ethical safeguards have been met and all relevant permissions were obtained.
  5. Authors must report of any conflicts of interest.
  6. Authors must report all sources of funding.
  7. Authors must identify all sources used in the creation of their manuscript.
  8. Authors must report any errors they discover in their manuscript.

Reviewer Responsibilities

  1. Reviewers must notify the Journal of Ethnobiology of any conflicts of interest.
  2. Reviewers must keep information pertaining to the manuscript confidential.
  3. Reviewers must bring to the attention of the Editors any information that may be reason to reject publication of a manuscript.
  4. Reviewers must evaluate manuscripts only for their intellectual content without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy of the authors.

Editorial Board Responsibilities

  1. The Editors and/or Editorial Board must keep information pertaining to submitted manuscripts confidential.
  2. The Editors and/or Editorial Board must disclose any conflicts of interest.
  3. The Editors and/or Editorial Board must evaluate manuscripts only for their intellectual content without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy of the authors.
  4. The Editors and/or Editorial Board are responsible for making publication decisions for submitted manuscripts.
  5. The Editors and Editorial Board will review suspected incidents of plagiarism following the COPE Code of Conduct and, should the board conclude that plagiarism has occurred, the editors will follow the COPE workflow to respond to the violation.