Manuscript submission

Cover letter

A cover letter should accompany the submitted article. This letter should briefly explain the main point of the paper, the significance of the findings and how they satisfy the QR Aims and Scope. Note the type of paper (Research, Review, Forum, Comment, Reply) and explain its relation to previously published work on the same or similar topic, including other papers by the same author(s) or prior manuscripts that were not accepted for publication. It should address any other unusual or extenuating circumstances surrounding the article and its submission, including its past submission/review history. Papers in press that provide data or interpretations critical to the submitted manuscript, or that could raise a question regarding duplicative publications, should be appended in full to the cover letter to avoid misunderstandings by editors or reviewers.

Electronic submission

QR uses a Web-based online manuscript submission and review system. Please submit your manuscript electronically. The website guides authors stepwise through the creation and uploading of the various files. Original text source files are required (.doc or .docx are best), not PDF files. Figures should be submitted as separate files; tables should also be submitted separately. Once the submission files are uploaded, the system automatically generates an electronic (PDF) proof, which is then used for reviewing. All correspondence, including the editor's decision and request for revisions, will be by e-mail.

Copyright transfer

Authors submitting a manuscript do so on the understanding that if it is accepted for publication, copyright of the article, including the right to reproduce the article in all forms and media, shall be assigned exclusively to the University of Washington. The Copyright Transfer Agreement should be signed by the appropriate person(s). The University will not refuse any reasonable request by the author(s) for permission to reproduce any contributions to the journal.

Review

All manuscripts will be reviewed by at least two referees, an Associate Editor, and one Senior Editor. They will be evaluated for whether they are interdisciplinary in content and of broad interest, are scientifically sound, and present evidence that is sufficient to support the conclusions. They are also evaluated for organization, clarity, and conciseness. The editors' decision is sent to the corresponding author, together with the referees' comments and evaluations as soon as the file is complete. More than one round of review and revision is typical for most manuscripts; the average duration from first submission to final decision for the journal in 2016 was 14 weeks.

Proofs

PDF proofs will be sent by e-mail to the corresponding author. It is the responsibility of the authors to read the proofs carefully and to note all errors. Only necessary changes should be made and corrections should be returned promptly.

Reprints

The corresponding author will be provided with a link to a freely accessible pdf of the published article. Authors will also be able to order reprints or offprints of their article or a printed copy of the issue by visiting the Cambridge University Reprint Order Center online at: http://www.sheridan.com/cup/eo.

Cover photograph

Each cover of Quaternary Research displays a color photograph pertaining to a Quaternary topic. Cover photographs represent various disciplines and geographic areas and have included close-up, landscape, aerial, and satellite images. 

Authors of accepted articles are invited to submit one or more color photographs for consideration. These should be of very high quality (correctly exposed, very sharp focus) and suitable for cropping to the dimensions of the photograph on the cover of the issue (1:1.42 aspect ratio). Photographs should not include identifiable persons. Digital files should be submitted in TIFF, EPS or jpg format. Digital images must be large enough to be at least 300 dpi when enlarged to the size of the cover (or about 1500 × 2000 pixels). A brief, informative caption should be submitted with each photograph. The name of the photographer should be indicated when appropriate, and written permission to use the image for publication should be supplied.