Resources Data Journal | J-STAGE Open Access

Resources Data Journal is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access scholarly journal dedicated to the advancement and dissemination of high-impact research at the frontiers of geography and its interdisciplinary interfaces. The Journal invites original, unpublished manuscripts—including those previously disclosed through patents or recognized preprint platforms—that contribute to global scholarship in resource sciences. The thematic scope is broad, centered on several key pillars of resource studies, including but not limited to:

- Natural Resources: Management and conservation of land, water, minerals, and energy.

- Environmental and Ecological Resources: Research on ecosystem services, biodiversity, and the preservation of natural capital.

- Agricultural and Food Resources: Sustainable farming systems, food security, and bio-resource management.

- Human and Socio-economic Resources: Analysis of human capital, labor dynamics, and the socio-economic drivers of resource utilization.

Beyond these primary categories, The Journal welcomes any innovative research that addresses the evolving challenges and diverse dimensions of resource management. The Journal particularly encourages interdisciplinary studies that examine the complex interactions among these resource systems and analyze their implications for sustainable development, policy formulation, and societal resilience.

The journal follows a continuous publication model to facilitate the rapid dissemination of high-quality research. All articles are freely accessible worldwide via J-STAGE, ensuring maximum global visibility. To guarantee long-term digital preservation, the journal’s content is archived in Portico. If the journal is no longer hosted on J-STAGE, all content will remain permanently accessible through the Portico archive. Additionally, published articles are deposited in the National Diet Library of Japan, securing their enduring availability for the scholarly community.

Guided by the "First Principles" of academic publishing, the journal aims to share research findings globally at maximum speed and minimum cost. By integrating AI-driven automation with a community-led, transparent peer-review system, we have established an ecosystem that redefines traditional publishing standards.

(1) Standard APC: 1,000 USD

Rather than covering legacy administrative overhead, this fee represents an investment in our "Ultra-Fast, High-Value" publishing process:

- AI Pre-screening: Verification of formatting, data integrity, and novelty within minutes of submission.

- Hybrid Peer Review: A transparent, fair, and rapid evaluation process powered by AI and a community of experts.

- Dynamic Publishing: Upon acceptance, manuscripts undergo digitally optimized typesetting and are immediately released for real-time global distribution.

(2) Community Contribution: "APC Credit" System

The journal values peer contribution as a tangible asset. Researchers who contribute to our review and discussion processes are awarded "Peer Credits":

- Constructive Peer Review: A 500 USD discount credit is issued for each completed high-quality review.

- Academic Discussion: Exceptional contributions to open-review discussions may qualify for a full APC waiver at the editor’s discretion.

Credit Utilization Rules:

- Validity: Credits are valid for 24 months from the date of issuance.

- Eligibility: Credits can be applied to any paper where the holder is the lead author or a co-author.

(3) Global Inclusion (Waiver Policy)

Based on our core conviction that "financial constraints should never hinder scientific progress," the journal commits to maintaining an open and accessible academic platform.

- Waivers for Underfunded Researchers: Authors from low-income regions or those without access to institutional/grant funding may apply for partial or full APC waivers.

- Application Process: Waiver requests must be submitted at the time of initial manuscript submission. Each request will undergo a rapid individual review based on the author's specific circumstances.

The Journal primarily accepts the following categories of manuscripts:

(1) Original Papers

Original Papers present comprehensive, primary research reporting novel empirical findings, theoretical developments, or methodological innovations that significantly advance knowledge in the natural and social sciences. Each manuscript is expected to provide a thorough analysis of a clearly defined research problem and demonstrate a substantial contribution to the field.

(2) Review Papers

Review Papers offer a critical and comprehensive synthesis of existing literature within the journal’s scope. Moving beyond simple summaries, these articles should analyze current research progress, identify major trends and knowledge gaps, and propose strategic directions for future investigation.

(3) Data Papers

Data Papers provide a detailed description of high-quality research datasets that hold significant value for the scientific community. These manuscripts must clearly document data sources, collection protocols, processing methods, and quality control measures, while highlighting the potential applications and reuse value of the data.

(4) Perspectives

Perspectives present scholarly viewpoints on emerging trends, critical challenges, or future directions in resource and geographical research. These articles offer original interpretations, conceptual insights, or provocative ideas that stimulate further academic discourse.

(5) Research Highlights

Research Highlights are concise articles designed to emphasize significant breakthroughs, novel research outcomes, or pivotal developments in geographical and resource sciences. They focus on the core impact of the research for a broader interdisciplinary audience.

(6) Commentaries

Commentaries provide expert reflections on recently published studies, ongoing academic debates, or major policy trends in the field. These contributions foster critical dialogue and offer nuanced critiques or supportive evidence regarding current scholarly work.