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Research transparency

This journal believes in the importance of transparent and reproducible research. We encourage authors to follow best practices in reporting their methodology, for example describing details of study design, sources used and their provenance, and selection procedures used.

Where possible we encourage authors to make the evidence underpinning their findings, which may include quantitative data or qualitative materials, available to readers. We encourage the use of Data Availability Statements to describe whether such evidence is available to readers, and if so, where.

When sharing materials, whether qualitative or quantitative, we recommend using a dedicated repository appropriate to the materials. In particular, repositories that provide permanent identifiers and have robust preservation policies will help to ensure the long-term integrity of published research.

We also encourage authors to cite materials and data they have used in their research, alongside literature citations, to recognise the importance of all kinds of research outputs.

If you have any questions about this policy, please contact the editorial office.

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Research Transparency and Ancient Mesoamerica

One of the pressing concerns in archaeology is data preservation. As we move toward this goal, we highly encourage all authors of articles that feature quantitative analysis or rely on images, materials, protocols, or software code to make data available for replication purposes. Authors should also ensure that they are meeting data replication and deposit requirements stipulated by their funding bodies and institutions as well as any regulations set by governments or other bodies responsible for materials or sites under analysis.

Ancient Mesoamerica encourages appropriate citation of data by other researchers.

Ancient Mesoamerica can host such data on the journal’s website, and authors wishing to avail themselves of this facility should supply all files electronically when submitting through ScholarOne. This platform ensures that the article and the data are published together and accessible to our readership. 

Alternatively, the data can be hosted on a site such as the Digital Archaeological Record (tDAR: www.tdar.org), the Archaeological Data Service (ADS: http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/), PANGAEA (https://www.pangaea.de/), Dataverse (http://dataverse.org/), DRYAD (http://datadryad.org/), or an appropriate institutional or subject repository. Additional information about places you can share your data can be found here.

Where the data involve artifact collections and/or records, authors should provide relevant archival information. Authors should note if materials have been turned over to a state or national repository, institute, organization, or other relevant body.

Data should be cited in the article, and where possible, permanent links should be provided. The easiest route is when data are hosted on the journal’s website, and a link is provided when the article is typeset. Other options might include a Digital Object Identifier (DOI), a tDAR ID, or an ADS collection number.

Useful materials typically include data used for the analysis, images, specialized computer programs or the source code of these algorithms, program recodes, research protocols, and a metadata file that details what is included in the data set and how the results can be reproduced.

Articles should include information about processes by which any data were manipulated.

Original images that have been edited or processed for a journal article may also be provided in their original form. This step may be important when an image is processed to highlight a particular feature, as the original file allows readers to validate the image processing and interpretation of the results.

From late 2022 Ancient Mesoamerica will require all authors to publish a Data Availability Statement as part of their article.

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Ethical considerations and Confidential Information

It may not be possible to share publicly some resources, particularly where ethical and cultural sensitivities must be considered. In such cases authors should seek permissions where appropriate. If data cannot be shared, it would be useful to note this constraint in the published article.

Articles should not include sensitive material, for instance, names or personally identifiable data. In some cases it may not be appropriate to provide exact geographic co-ordinates or other locally identifiable features. De-identified or aggregated data derived from sensitive materials may be appropriate to include, depending on context.

For further information about Publishing Ethics and Ancient Mesoamerica please see here.