Scope and purpose

Applied is a multidisciplinary journal that promotes scientific, technological, and innovation development, as well as the application of knowledge to contemporary challenges. It is published by Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro.

Applied is conceived as an instrument for the dissemination and outreach of scientific knowledge—understanding dissemination as communication among specialists and outreach as its projection toward the general public—focused on applied research and innovation from a multidisciplinary perspective. Likewise, it emphasizes the visibility and circulation of academic, scientific, and professional talent, as well as collaborative experiences among public, private, and social institutions linked to social impact.

Its purpose is to contribute to the open circulation of knowledge and of the talent that produces it, fostering dialogue between specialized academic production and society, through the publication of rigorous scientific content and accessible outreach texts. It also seeks to account for inter-institutional collaboration and public and private investment in joint projects for scientific, technological, and social development. The journal aims to consolidate itself as a plural and open space, reflecting a vocation for development and innovation with national and international projection, through the publication of content in Spanish and English.

Objective

To disseminate and communicate high-quality scientific knowledge in the fields of applied research and innovation, promoting dialogue between academia, society, and public and private sectors. Applied seeks to make academic and professional talent visible, as well as inter-institutional collaboration experiences that contribute to the generation of solutions, analyses, and proposals addressing current issues of social relevance. It also promotes the accessible communication of knowledge to non-specialized audiences, with a focus on key areas of impact.

Connection with distritoQRO

Applied is aligned with three pillars:

Applied research. Focused on the generation of scientific and technological knowledge that helps address specific problems in strategic sectors—such as sustainability, manufacturing, and digital technologies—through collaboration between universities and industry, the development of science-based solutions, and technology transfer.

Citizen participation. Promotes the involvement of citizens, social organizations, and local communities in knowledge production processes, the collective construction of solutions, and the strengthening of the social appropriation of knowledge.

Social urbanism. Explores the role of territory and urban space as platforms for social innovation, collective well-being, and the articulation between communities, knowledge, and economic development.

Publishing model

Applied operates under a continuous publication model, in which articles are published individually as soon as they complete the editorial process, without waiting for the assembly of a full issue. Publication and access to content do not involve any fees at any stage of the editorial process.

Published texts are organized into biannual issues corresponding to the January–June and July–December periods. Each issue is formally closed and published at the end of its corresponding period, in June and December. Articles published individually prior to the release of an issue form part of the content of the corresponding semester ending on those dates.

The academic quality of the content is ensured, in the case of scientific dissemination articles (Applied Research and Innovation), through a double peer review process with external reviewers not affiliated with the publishing institution. In contrast, submissions in the Science Outreach section are evaluated through an editorial review process conducted by the editorial team. In both cases, the journal adheres to its editorial guidelines and to good academic practices.

The call for submissions is open year-round; therefore, manuscripts are received throughout the year for potential publication, in accordance with the journal’s editorial guidelines and established evaluation process.

Sections of the journal

Applied is structured around two modes of knowledge communication. The first is scientific dissemination, aimed at publishing original and unpublished academic articles intended for a specialized audience that present the results of applied research or developments in the field of innovation. This mode is divided into two sections:

Applied research: dedicated to studies that present results with practical application and potential social, environmental, or productive impact.

Innovation: focused on the dissemination of proposals, processes, methodologies, or innovative developments in the scientific, technological, and social fields.

The second mode is Science Outreach, which comprises the section bearing the same name:

Science Outreach

A section designed for a broad audience, featuring accessible articles that draw on academic knowledge to make scientific ideas and findings more understandable and relevant to society. Its purpose is to foster public understanding of science, encourage engagement with knowledge, and highlight the talent and expertise behind its production.

The content of both sections is oriented toward the discussion of topics related to applied research, citizen participation, and social urbanism, which are also among the areas of work promoted by distritoQRO. Applied gives special attention to contributions related to strategic thematic areas such as agri-food sustainability, sustainable manufacturing, the environment, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence, as well as to work addressing contemporary environmental and social challenges, including climate change, mobility, and food systems. The journal also values experiences of collaboration among public, private, and social institutions in related projects. Through this approach, Applied seeks to foster the generation of knowledge and solutions with impact in areas of significant scientific, technological, and social relevance.

Mission

To foster positive societal impact through the dissemination and communication of applied research and innovation focused on contemporary challenges, promoting the integration of research and practice, the generation of useful and transferable knowledge, and accessible science communication grounded in academic rigor.

Vision

To become a leading inter-institutional platform for the dissemination and communication of applied research and innovation with social impact, recognized nationally and internationally for its academic excellence, editorial openness, and commitment to showcasing scientific and academic talent.

Values

• Research ethics, understood as adherence to high ethical standards in the production, evaluation, and communication of knowledge.
• Editorial best practices, grounded in transparency, impartiality, and responsibility throughout editorial processes.
• Scientific rigor, reflected in a commitment to the methodological, conceptual, and analytical quality of published content.
• Academic integrity, understood as the respect for authorship and originality, as well as intellectual honesty and the social responsibility inherent in knowledge production and dissemination.
• Editorial openness, as a guiding principle that encourages contributions from diverse institutions, regions, and countries.