Special Issue Guidelines

Special issues represent an essential aspect of academic journals, offering a platform to delve deeply into particular subjects and highlight innovative research findings. Proposals for special issues must be submitted to and sanctioned by the journal's editorial board or editorial team, focusing on a particular theme. The proposal must detail the rationale, significance, and scope associated with the special issue. Special Issues are directed by either a single lead guest editor or a collaborative team consisting of 3 to 4 guest editors. The role of guest editors is crucial to the successful execution of a special issue. Special issue topics are typically overseen by guest editors who possess expertise in the relevant field, with the objective of delivering a thorough and detailed examination of the selected subject matter. The guest editor is considered an expert in their field and may include early career researchers, but must supervise the peer review process and make decisions on manuscripts. Special issues are commonly utilized to draw focus to developing research areas or to feature the efforts of a particular research group or community. Guest editors must provide the full table of contents and the outline of the issue, along with the names and titles of the contributing authors, prior to the tentative acceptance of the proposal, with final acceptance contingent upon the review process. Guest editors promote special issues, invite authors, make decisions on manuscript acceptance or rejection, cross-check manuscripts for quality, conduct fair, unbiased peer review, and ensure timely submissions for the special issue. Every special issue has an extensive Call for Papers (CFP) that thoroughly articulates the theme and aims of the special issue, including important submission deadlines and the criteria for submission. Special issues require careful planning well ahead of time; the duration from the announcement of a call for papers to the actual publication can range from 6 to 12 months. Articles featured in special issues generally consist of original research or review articles that undergo the same stringent peer-review process as standard articles published in the journal. In special issues, articles are assembled and published collectively to underscore the importance and relevance of the topic at hand. Authors must recognize that submissions for special issues are held to the same standards of quality, originality, and significance as those for regular articles. The authority to approve or disapprove the submitted manuscript rests solely with the guest editor(s) of the issue. Special issues offer a framework for interdisciplinary cooperation, facilitating the collaboration of researchers from different domains to address a mutual problem or inquiry. Authors may find that publishing in a special issue offers a significant chance to present their work to a larger audience and to enrich a concentrated and organized collection of knowledge regarding a particular theme. Articles that are part of special issues are published in the regular issues of the journal upon acceptance, and they are distinctly marked with additional labeling to indicate their connection to a special issue. For readers, special issues serve as a useful and easily accessible resource to keep abreast of the latest research findings and trends in a specific area of study.

Authors who wish to submit a manuscript for a special issue are required to ensure that their work is original and adheres to all standard submission criteria. They are required to familiarize themselves with the guidelines before making a submission, ensure that they submit by the specified deadline, or request an extension if required. The title of the special issue must be specified in the cover letter. Please submit the manuscript through the Online Submission System to the editorial office. It is vital to acknowledge that an invitation to contribute a manuscript to a special issue does not guarantee that it will be published. By participating in a special issue, researchers can boost their visibility in their area of expertise and have the chance to highlight their work, which can enhance its relevance. Moreover, involvement in a special issue promotes cooperation and networking among professionals, while serving as a platform to examine state-of-the-art developments and aid in the collective advancement of the field. The articles published in Special Issues benefit from improved visibility and a greater frequency of citations compared to those that are submitted without prior arrangement to the journal, due to their relational context within the article collection. Grouping academic papers according to particular subjects aids researchers in effectively exploring the material presented in comprehensive journals. To enhance visibility and readership, articles included in Special Issues are commonly promoted through the journal's social media outlets that focus on relevant subject areas. It is the duty of the Guest Editor to verify that the published material in the special issue corresponds with the journal's title and its specified scope. Special issue papers are often subject to a faster publication timeline than ordinary articles and articles included in special issues are frequently cited at a higher rate than their counterparts in regular issues.

The Guest Editor is responsible for preparing a Special Issue title, introducing the issue to authors and readers, inviting potential contributors, supervising the peer review process, and promoting the issue at conferences and social media. A successful Special Issue typically consists of 10 or more papers, with an optional editorial by the Guest Editor. It is the duty of the Guest Editor to verify that the published material in the special issue corresponds with the journal's title and its specified scope. The Guest Editor must refrain from encouraging authors to include references solely to inflate citation metrics for their own work that of associates, the journal, or any other journal with which they have ties. Contributions from the guest editor(s) may be included in the special issue; however, their number should be restricted to maintain a diverse and inclusive representation of authors within the research area of the special issue. Any article submitted by a guest editor will be managed by a member of the editorial board. The guest editor is responsible for safeguarding the confidentiality of all materials submitted to the journal. It is essential for all participants in the peer review process to thoroughly assess and disclose any potential conflicts of interest while engaging in the review, decision-making, and publication stages of a manuscript. Guest editors enjoy several advantages, including certificates of recognition, listings on the journal's website, opportunities to lead scientific communications, recognition within the academic community, and enhanced collaboration within their teams, all of which contribute to scientific advancement.

The journal is open to receiving proposals for special issues that are relevant to its scope. If you would like to submit a concept for a Special Issue, please reach out via email at [email protected]