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Special Issues
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Benefits of Contributing to a Special Issue
Enhanced Visibility
Special issue articles tend to achieve higher citation rates due to the streamlined access they provide to researchers, authors, and scientists, facilitating discovery and engagement with an organised collection of focused studies. The thematic structure of special issues significantly enhances their visibility and recognition, thereby increasing the potential for articles to be cited within the scientific community.
Streamlined Accessibility
A dedicated collection of papers on a specific topic within a single issue simplifies navigation and enhances accessibility for researchers and scientists.
Increased Promotion
Publishers actively promote thematic issues and their included articles through prominent social media platforms, thereby broadening their reach. This heightened exposure fosters greater engagement and ultimately contributes to higher citation frequencies.
Opportunities for Collaboration
Participating in a special issue allows authors to expand their professional networks by connecting with experts working in similar fields, fostering potential collaborative endeavours.
Timely Research Updates
Special issues serve as a vital resource for disseminating the latest research in emerging or trending areas, ensuring that scholars remain informed about cutting-edge developments.
Rigorous Peer Review Process
PDP is committed to maintaining a transparent and independent peer review process. All submitted articles, including those addressing thematic issues, undergo the same thorough review process as standard articles. Each article undergoes a thorough evaluation process managed by the guest editor, with reviewers carefully selected and checked by the Editorial Office to ensure their expertise and to reduce conflicts of interest.
Expedited Publication
Special issues typically benefit from an accelerated publication timeline, allowing articles to be published more swiftly compared to standard submissions.
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Guidelines for Proposal Submission
- Provide a provisional title that aligns with the journal’s aims and scope.
- Specify the deadline for submitting manuscripts for the thematic issue.
- Include detailed information about the Guest Editor(s) as outlined in the thematic issue submission form. For multiple Guest Editors, provide details for each.
- Present a concise overview outlining the main objectives, scope, key areas to be covered, and proposed article titles.
- Offer a list of prospective authors, including their affiliations and contact information, who may contribute manuscripts.
- Guest Editors are encouraged to ensure author diversity by including contributions from different regions.
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Special Issue Policy
- Guest editors must submit a formal proposal for the special issue prior to the submission of the full issue. The proposal should adhere strictly to the prescribed format.
- The special issue may include up to three guest editors. Each guest editor must receive formal approval from the Editor-in-Chief before being officially appointed to the thematic issue.
- Upon approval, the special issue proposal will be published on the website, accompanied by detailed information about the guest editors.
- Guest editors are responsible for ensuring that authors contributing to the thematic issue represent diverse geographic regions. Additionally, no individual should serve as an author or co-author on more than one manuscript to ensure varied and impactful contributions.
- Guest editors are not allowed to submit more than one manuscript to the special issue. However, should they choose to contribute, they are limited to one submission.
- Guest editors are required to provide an editorial that underscores the significance and relevance of the thematic issue.
- All proposals for special issues must be submitted via email to anna.lal@pdpublishers.com. Guest editors are responsible for guiding authors to submit their manuscripts online under the designated thematic issue using the publisher’s provided link.
- Guest editors are encouraged to utilize the online submission system for all aspects of the editorial process to ensure accurate tracking and comprehensive documentation by the Editorial Office.
- Guest editors may suggest potential reviewers for submitted manuscripts; however, the final decision on reviewer assignment rests with the Editor-in-Chief.
- Any manuscript submitted by a guest editor will be managed independently by the Editorial Office, in consultation with the Editor-in-Chief, to maintain impartiality.
- The Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision on the acceptance or rejection of manuscripts.
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Ethical Responsibilities of Guest Editors
Artificial Citation Practices
Guest editors are discouraged to use artificial methods to inflate citation counts for special issues. Instead, they should focus on promoting the special issue through legitimate channels such as relevant academic communities, social media platforms, and professional networks, which can enhance the visibility of the articles and, consequently, their citations. Additionally, all references cited in the manuscripts must be pertinent to the content and not included solely to increase the citation count of the guest editors, authors, or their associates. In particular, irrelevant self-citations should be avoided.
Scope-Relevant Articles
The guest editor is responsible for ensuring that all manuscripts submitted for inclusion in the thematic issue align with the scope of the journal and that the authors possess appropriate expertise in the subject matter.
Confidentiality
It is crucial for the guest editor to maintain the confidentiality of all submitted content. Manuscripts must remain accessible solely to editors and reviewers, with the identities of reviewers safeguarded. Disclosure of reviewer identities is permissible only if authors choose an open peer review process and the reviewers agree to such disclosure.
Conflict of Interest
Guest editors and authors must adhere strictly to the journal’s conflict of interest policy. Any potential conflicts must be disclosed promptly within the manuscript and submitted to the Editorial Office for thorough evaluation.
Contributors to thematic issue articles, including guest editors, are expected to uphold the same rigorous ethical standards required for regular submissions. In cases of unethical conduct, appropriate measures will be taken, which may include the cancellation of the thematic issue, following the protocols established for standard submissions.
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Duties and Responsibilities of Guest Editors
- Preparing a comprehensive proposal for the special issue, including the title, description, relevant keywords, and a tentative deadline.
- Compiling a list of potential contributors who are experts in the relevant field and inviting them to submit manuscripts.
- Conducting an initial review of manuscripts before submitting them to the Editorial Office for further evaluation and approval by the Editor-in-Chief.
- Ensuring that all manuscripts meet international standards and comply with the recommended submission guidelines.
- Overseeing the peer review process, ensuring that each manuscript is evaluated by at least two independent reviewers, who will be checked by the Editorial Office for credential verification before assignment.
- Coordinating with authors in a timely manner to facilitate efficient manuscript processing.
- Promoting the special issue at relevant conferences and through social media platforms.
- Guest editors are advised to solicit more articles than initially planned, as some may be rejected during the peer review process.
- Guest editors must submit an editorial relevant to the thematic issue, which will be reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief.
Submission Process
Guest editors are encouraged to consult the Editorial process page to gain a comprehensive understanding of the procedures governing manuscript handling from submission to publication. All manuscripts, whether for regular or thematic issues, must be submitted via the designated online platform and not through email.
Preliminary Evaluation of the Manuscript
Upon submission, the guest editor will evaluate the manuscript’s relevance to the journal’s scope. Based on this assessment, the guest editor may initiate the peer review process, reject the manuscript, or request revisions before forwarding it to the Editorial Office. In cases where the manuscript is accepted for review, guest editors should carefully assess the following:
- The article’s relevance to the journal’s scope.
- Compliance with ethical standards and international guidelines.
- The manuscript’s overall quality.
- Assurance that the content is free from plagiarism and unethical citation practices.
Peer Review Process
Before commencing the peer review process, the guest editor must submit details of potential reviewers to the Editorial Office for approval by the Editor-in-Chief. The review process must strictly adhere to the journal’s established policies. For detailed guidelines, please consult the REVIEW POLICY PAGE or contact the Editor-in-Chief. During the review, guest editors must ensure that reviewers have no conflicts of interest with the authors. Additionally, any reviewers nominated by the authors who have conflicts of interest must not be selected.
Revisions and Final Decision
Manuscript revisions may be conducted by the guest editor based on the reviewers’ feedback; however, the final decision regarding the manuscript’s acceptance or rejection remains with the Editor-in-Chief. Guest editors must submit the revised manuscript, accompanied by the review reports, to the Editor-in-Chief for the final determination.
Publication
Once an article is finalized it will be promptly published in the designated special issues section of the journal’s website without waiting for other articles in the issue to be completed. The special issue page will feature information such as guest editors’ profiles, the table of contents, submission deadlines, author details, and additional relevant content.