Special Issues
A special issue is a curated selection of scholarly articles focused on a specific theme or topic that aligns with the journal’s academic scope. Guest editors play a crucial role in overseeing the process, coordinating submissions, and liaising with potential authors to ensure the inclusion of high-quality manuscripts related to the chosen theme. Individuals interested in serving as guest editors are invited to submit their expressions of interest via email. There is no strict limitation on the number of manuscripts included, as long as they meet the journal’s rigorous quality standards. While a typical special issue comprises 10 to 12 manuscripts, the journal is open to publishing smaller thematic issues with 3 to 5 manuscripts if the submissions are of exceptional quality.
Benefits of Contributing to a Special Issue
Increased Visibility
Articles published in special issues tend to garner higher citation rates, thanks to the focused access they provide to researchers and scholars. The thematic organization enhances the recognition of articles, boosting their chances of being cited within the academic community.
Enhanced Visibility
A themed collection of papers simplifies navigation and makes it easier for researchers and scholars to access relevant studies.
Extended Promotion
Publishers actively promote special issues and their articles on prominent social media platforms, which increases exposure and engagement, leading to higher citation frequency.
Collaboration Opportunities
Authors involved in special issues can expand their professional networks by connecting with experts in related fields, paving the way for potential collaborations.
Timely Research Updates
Special issues are excellent resources for disseminating cutting-edge research, ensuring scholars stay informed on emerging topics and trends.
Rigorous Peer Review
All articles submitted for special issues undergo the same detailed peer review process as regular submissions, managed by the guest editor and overseen by the journal’s Editorial Office to ensure expertise and minimize conflicts of interest.
Accelerated Publication
Special issues often benefit from expedited publication timelines, enabling faster release compared to regular submissions.
Proposal Submission Guidelines
Proposals for thematic or special issues should meet the following criteria:
- Provide a provisional title relevant to the journal’s aims and scope.
- Specify the deadline for manuscript submissions.
- Include detailed information about the Guest Editor(s), as specified in the submission form. If there are multiple guest editors, provide details for each.
- Provide a concise overview of the issue’s objectives, scope, key topics, and proposed article titles.
- Submit a list of prospective authors, including their affiliations and contact information.
- Guest editors should encourage diversity in authorship by including contributors from different regions.
Special Issue Policy
- Guest editors must submit a formal proposal before the full special issue is submitted. The proposal must follow the prescribed format.
- A special issue can have up to three guest editors, each requiring approval from the Editor-in-Chief before being officially appointed.
- After approval, the proposal will be published on the website with details about the guest editors.
- Guest editors are responsible for ensuring diverse geographic representation among contributors, and no individual should contribute to more than one manuscript in the issue.
- Guest editors may submit only one manuscript to the special issue.
- An editorial by the guest editor is required to highlight the significance of the thematic issue.
- All proposals must be submitted via email to anna.lal@primarkconsultancy.com.
- Manuscripts must be submitted online through the publisher’s platform, and guest editors should ensure authors use the online system for proper tracking and documentation.
- Guest editors can suggest reviewers, but the final decision on assignments rests with the Editor-in-Chief.
- Manuscripts submitted by guest editors will be handled independently by the Editorial Office to maintain impartiality.
- The Editor-in-Chief has the final say on manuscript acceptance or rejection.
Ethical Responsibilities of Guest Editors
Guest editors should adhere to guidelines from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and avoid practices that artificially inflate citation counts. They should promote the special issue through legitimate means, including academic communities and professional networks, to increase visibility and citation potential. All references must be relevant to the content and avoid unnecessary self-citations.
Guest editors are responsible for ensuring submitted manuscripts align with the journal’s scope and that authors possess relevant expertise. Confidentiality of submissions must be maintained, with reviewer identities protected unless an open review process is chosen.
Conflict of Interest
Guest editors and authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest according to the journal’s policy. These must be reviewed by the Editorial Office. Any ethical violations, including inappropriate conduct, may lead to the cancellation of the thematic issue.
Duties and Responsibilities of Guest Editors
Guest editors must maintain effective communication with the Editorial team, ensuring timely submission and adherence to deadlines. Key responsibilities include:
- Preparing the proposal, including the title, description, keywords, and deadlines.
- Compiling a list of potential contributors and inviting them to submit manuscripts.
- Reviewing manuscripts before submitting them to the Editorial Office.
- Ensuring manuscripts meet international standards and comply with submission guidelines.
- Overseeing the peer review process, ensuring at least two independent reviewers evaluate each manuscript.
- Promoting the special issue at conferences and on social media platforms.
- Submitting a relevant editorial to the Editor-in-Chief.
Submission Process
Guest editors are encouraged to review the Editorial process page for an overview of manuscript handling from submission to publication. All submissions must be made via the designated online platform.
Preliminary Evaluation of Manuscripts
Upon receiving a manuscript, the guest editor will assess its relevance to the journal’s scope and determine whether it proceeds to peer review, requires revisions, or should be rejected. Key considerations include:
- Alignment with the journal’s scope.
- Compliance with ethical standards.
- Manuscript quality.
- Assurance that the content is free from plagiarism and unethical citation practices.
Peer Review Process
Before initiating peer review, guest editors must submit reviewer details for approval by the Editor-in-Chief. The peer review process must follow the journal’s guidelines, and guest editors must ensure that selected reviewers have no conflicts of interest with the authors.
Revisions and Final Decision
Guest editors may oversee revisions based on feedback, but the final decision on manuscript acceptance or rejection is made by the Editor-in-Chief. The revised manuscript, along with review reports, should be submitted for final approval.
Publication
Once an article is finalized, it will be published promptly in the special issue section of the journal’s website, regardless of whether other articles in the issue are completed. The special issue page will include details about the guest editors, table of contents, submission deadlines, and author information.