About the Journal

Aim and Scope

RIAA. Revista de Investigación en Actividades Acuáticas (Journal of Research in Aquatic Activities) is a periodical publication that aims to offer scientifically based work that helps to deepen understanding of the various dimensions of aquatic activities. Given the specialized nature of the journal, it does not accept articles that are simply informative in nature, nor those that merely express opinions rather than conclusions derived from verified research. RIAA will only publish original works that, in addition to the above conditions, possess the specific internal unity that characterizes articles in a scientific publication. RIAA will be considered open access on the internet. Two issues will be published per year.

RIAA has tools to analyze manuscripts (URL) in search of non-original materials and works (plagiarism control and other malpractices). By submitting their originals to the journal, authors agree to have their contributions analyzed using the aforementioned software (Turnitin) during the peer review and editing processes of the journal. Please note that articles by authors who do not adhere to these conditions will be automatically rejected.

The areas covered by RIAA publications will be as follows:

• Aquatic education: aquatic activities outside the school context to promote the teaching and learning of aquatic motor skills in different types of populations, from babies to the elderly.
  Special aquatic education: aquatic activities focused on any type of population that has a common characteristic, such as people with disabilities (functional, cognitive, auditory, etc.).
  School aquatic activities: aquatic activities within the physical education curriculum, at any educational stage (primary, secondary, vocational training, or university).
• Water safety: water activities that focus on prevention and/or rescue in aquatic facilities.
  Aquatic therapy: aquatic activities or programs focused on physical, cognitive, and/or social rehabilitation of injuries or impairments through the aquatic environment.
  Aquatic physical conditioning: aquatic activities focused on improving and developing physical condition in adult populations. This area should also include all types of activities focused on leisure and recreation.
  Aquatic physical exercise and health: aquatic activities focused on physical, psychological, and social maintenance to improve people's quality of life and health.
  Technification and quantification of aquatic activities: aquatic activities focused on athletic performance or passing a specific entrance exam (general civil service, military, firefighters, flight attendants, etc.).

Peer Review Process

RIAA selects it articles through a peer review process according to the double-blind method. Once the editorial team of the journal has verified that the article complies with the rules regarding the style and content indicated in the guidelines for the authors, the manuscript will be sent to two anonymous review experts within the field of study of the article. Based on the reviewers' recommendations, the editor of the journal will inform the authors of the motivated result of the evaluation by email, at the address they have used to send the article.
The evaluation committee will communicate to the principal author the result of the review (rejected, accepted with modifications or accepted), as well as the observations and comments of the reviewers. If the manuscript has been accepted with modifications, the authors must resubmit a new version of the article, which will be submitted again for revision by the same reviewers.
If they wish, the authors can also contribute a letter to the editor, in which they'll indicate the modifications' content of the article. If the authors have decided not to follow the recommendations of the reviewers, they can justify their decision in that same letter.
When the Editor-in-Chief makes a final decision not to publish an article, once reviewed the reports of the external evaluators, or in the first instance (without being subjected to peer review), it is a firm decision.
The editorial team will not enter into negotiations and exchanges once the final decision on the work has been established. The editorial decision is final.

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content under the principle of free availability of research to the public, which promotes greater global knowledge exchange. This journal adheres to the Code of Conduct of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The submission, review process, and publication of manuscripts are free of charge in this journal.

This journal uses Open Journal Systems 2.4.3.0, an open-source publishing program for journal management developed, funded, and distributed free of charge by the Public Knowledge Project under the GNU General Public License.

Backup of publications

The journal has an internal electronic backup process for publications, managed by the IT Services of Miguel Hernández University.

Languages of publication

It is published in Spanish, English, Portuguese (Portugal), and Brazilian Portuguese. In all cases, a summary in Spanish and an abstract in English will always be included.

Indexing

The Journal of Research in Aquatic Activities is referenced in the following initiatives and databases:

MIAR: Information matrix for journal evaluation.

DIALNET: Portal for the dissemination of Ibero-American scientific production promoted by the University of La Rioja.

CROSSREF: Matrix that links research objects, entities, and actions, creating an academic registry that supports open science.

GOOGLE SCHOLAR: Allows for broad searches of academic literature in various disciplines and sources. 

REDIB:  Platform for open access scientific and academic content produced in the Ibero-American context.

DOAJ: Directory of open access journals and articles.

LATINDEX: Regional online information system for scientific journals in Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, and Portugal.

REDALYC:  Indexing system that integrates high-quality scientific and editorial journals from the region into its index, on a non-profit basis.

Sponsors

• AIDEA
• UMH

Journal History

Research Journal in Aquatic Activities (RIAA) is published by Miguel Hernandez University of Elche and the Ibero-American Association of Aquatic Education, Special and Hydrotherapy every six months. It's a refereed journal that uses the system of external review by experts (peer-review) for scientific work in the field of Aquatic Activities, with methodological rigor and novel contributions. We accept submissions related to the different areas covered by the journal, as indicated above.