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Special Issue Guidelines

Last updated: 22 Dec 2025

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Special Issue Guidelines

Benefits of Publishing in a Special IssueMaking Special Issue ProposalEditorial Board of Special IssueWhat Makes You A Guest Editor?Selection of TopicSupport for Guest EditorsBecome A Guest Editor

Special Issues in academic Journals are collections of articles that are focused on a particular topic or theme. These issues are usually curated by guest editors who are experts in the field, and they aim to provide a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the chosen topic.

The articles included in Special Issues are typically original research or review articles that have been subjected to the same rigorous peer-review process as regular articles in the Journal. However, they are grouped together and published as a collection to highlight the importance and relevance of the topic.

Special Issues are often used to bring attention to emerging areas of research or to showcase the work of a particular research group or community. They can also provide a platform for interdisciplinary collaborations, bringing together researchers from different fields to address a common problem or question.

For authors, publishing in a Special Issue can be an excellent opportunity to showcase their work to a wider audience and to contribute to a focused and coherent body of knowledge on a particular topic. For readers, special issues provide a convenient and accessible way to stay up-to-date on the latest research and trends in a specific field.

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Focused Attention on a Specific Topic

Special Issues provide an opportunity to concentrate on a particular theme or topic in a comprehensive manner, bringing together articles that address different aspects of the same subject.

Increased Citations

Articles published in Special Issues often receive higher citations than regular articles because they are more likely to be read and cited by other researchers interested in the topic.

Increased Visibility

By publishing in a special issue, authors can reach a wider audience interested in the specific topic, including scholars, practitioners, and policymakers. This can lead to increased visibility for their research and potential collaborations.

Recognition and Prestige

Being invited to contribute to a Special Issue can be a recognition of a researcher's expertise in a particular area, and publishing in a special issue can enhance their reputation in the field.

Networking Opportunities

Special Issues can bring together scholars from different disciplines, creating opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations and fostering new research directions.

Enhanced Knowledge

Readers benefit from Special Issues as they offer a comprehensive and updated perspective on a specific topic, saving time in their search for relevant and quality research on the subject.

Making Special Issue Proposal

  • Research the Journal: Before submitting a proposal, familiarize yourself with the Journal's scope, aims, and readership. This will help you determine whether your proposed topic is a good fit for the Journal.
  • Develop a clear and compelling topic: Your proposed topic should be well-defined and relevant to the Journal's readership. Consider current trends, debates, and gaps in the field and aim to provide a fresh perspective or new insights. Ensure that your topic is also feasible and realistic in terms of the potential contributions and timeline.
  • Prepare a proposal: Your proposal should include an overview of the topic, its significance, and its relevance to the Journal's readership. Provide a brief literature review to contextualize the topic and explain how the Special Issue will contribute to the field. Include a list of potential contributors and their affiliations, as well as a timeline for submission and publication.
  • Submit the proposal: Submit your proposal directly to the Journal, following their guidelines and procedures for prospective guest editors. The editorial team will review your proposal and may provide feedback or suggest revisions. Ultimately, the decision to accept the proposal and any submitted articles rests with the Journal's Chief Editor(s).

Editorial Board of Special Issue

Special Issues are led by a single Lead Guest Editor or a team of 2 - 5 Guest Editors. Guest Editors are integral to the success of a Special Issue. Special Issues of STM will also follow the peer review process under the guidelines of the Editorial Policy. The Guest Editor(s) of the issue will have all the right to select or reject the submitted manuscript. Guest Editors are also required to convey the complete table of contents and the outline of the issue as well as the names and designations of contributing authors before the proposal is tentatively accepted (final acceptance being dependent on the review process). Guest Editors should inform the authors of the proposed schedule for the Special/regular Issue and if the articles are not submitted in time to the publisher, then they may be rejected.

Journals Submit Special Topic Proposal

Click here to know how you can propose topics.

Join as Guest Editor

Click here to know how you can join us as an editor

What Makes You A Guest Editor?

They are responsible for managing the papers and for the quality of the content. Every paper in the issue must maintain the quality standards of the Journal. Research papers must be scientifically excellent, and all content must be novel and interesting to the general readership.

Eligibility
  • A distinguished academic background with a terminal degree (Ph.D., MD, or equivalent) in a field relevant to the Journal's scope and have an h-index above 10. Peer review of Special Issue papers will be conducted by eminent reviewers who are completely independent.
  • Professional Experience: Possess 8-11 years of practical experience in the relevant field, showcasing a substantial understanding of the subject matter demonstrating a history of scholarly contributions through publications, presentations, or research projects.
  • Subject Expertise: Exhibit a deep and comprehensive expertise in the specific area relevant to the Special Issue.
  • Editorial Exposure: Ideally, have prior editorial experience such as reviewing, co-editing, or involvement with academic Journals.
  • Research Impact: Showcase the impact of your research work through citations, collaborations, and recognition within the community. Also possess a clear alignment with the focus and objectives of the Special Issue.
  • Collaboration Skills: Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively with authors, reviewers, and fellow editors.
  • Communication Proficiency: Possess excellent communication skills to liaise with contributors, reviewers, and the editorial team.
  • Commitment to Quality: Exhibit a commitment to maintaining high editorial standards, ensuring rigorous peer review, and scholarly integrity.
Responsibilities
  • The guest editor is responsible for ensuring the timely submission of all proposed contributions at every stage of the review and publication process.
  • A Special Issue editor is entitled to make final decisions regarding the acceptance and rejection of manuscripts.
  • The guest editor must provide authors with a preliminary editorial review of all proposed manuscripts for thematic coherence, substantive contribution, and Journal format before submission.
  • The Special Issue requires a minimum of ten articles and you should plan accordingly.
Benefits
  • Improve their academic profile and mark them out as influential within your discipline.
  • Complete freedom and flexibility to the Lead Guest Editor and he/she can customize his profile on the website as per his/her choice.
  • Increase the visibility and impact of work published in the Special Issue.
  • Being at the forefront of scientific communication
  • You will be given certification for handling Special Issues.

Selection of Topic

Selecting a topic for a Special Issue in an academic Journal is an important and often challenging task. Here are some tips for selecting a strong and relevant topic:

  • Identify a gap in the literature: Look for areas of research where there are gaps or inconsistencies in the existing literature. These gaps may be related to emerging trends or issues, or may be gaps in research on well-established topics.
  • Consider the audience: Think about the intended audience for the Special Issue, and what topics would be most relevant and interesting to them. Consider the needs of both researchers and practitioners in the field.
  • Focus on timely and relevant issues: Select a topic that is timely and relevant to current events, trends, and debates in the field. This can help ensure that the Special Issue is of interest to readers and has a high impact.
  • Collaborate with guest editors: Work with guest editors who are experts in the field and have a strong network of researchers. Collaborating with guest editors can help ensure that the Special Issue covers a range of relevant topics and perspectives.
  • Balance breadth and depth: Ensure that the Special Issue strikes a balance between breadth and depth. While it should cover a range of relevant topics, it should also provide in-depth analysis and insights on specific issues or questions.
  • Ensure feasibility: Consider the feasibility of the proposed topic, in terms of the availability of potential contributors, the timeline for submission and publication, and the resources required to produce a high-quality Special Issue.

Support for Guest Editors

  • Guidelines and templates: Journals may provide guest editors with guidelines and templates for preparing and submitting the Special Issue proposal, as well as for soliciting and selecting articles. These resources can help ensure that the Special Issue meets the Journal's standards and follows its procedures.
  • Editorial assistance: Journals may assign an editorial assistant or coordinator to work with the guest editor throughout the Special Issue process. The editorial assistant can help with administrative tasks, such as managing submissions and communications with authors, and can provide feedback on the articles and the special issue as a whole.
  • Promotion and dissemination: Journals may promote the Special Issue through their website, social media channels, and email newsletters, to ensure that it reaches a wide audience. The Journal may also provide metrics on the Special Issue's readership and impact, to help guest editors demonstrate the success of the Special Issue.
  • Access to resources: Journals may provide guest editors with access to resources such as databases, software, and training materials, to support their editorial work and improve the quality of the articles.
  • Recognition and compensation: Some Journals may offer recognition or compensation to guest editors, such as a mention in the editorial or a honorarium, to acknowledge their contribution to the Journal.

If you are a guest editor, be sure to familiarize yourself with the support offered by the journal and communicate with the editorial team throughout the process. This can help ensure that the Special Issue meets the journal's standards and is a success for both the Journal and the guest editor.

Become A Guest Editor

As a guest editor, we understand that there are many responsibilities to consider. For this reason, we have created a comprehensive guide to walk you through the essential aspects of the role and what to anticipate during the process of editing a Special Issue. You can count on the support and guidance of the Publisher, Content Acquisition Specialist, and/or Journal Manager throughout the process. If you have any inquiries while serving as a guest editor, please direct them to the appropriate publishing contact. Our Researcher Support Center is also available for technical support and role/system-based inquiries.

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  • Submission Preparation

  • Ethical Obligations & Responsibilities

  • Process for Managing Manuscript Submissions

  • Peer-Review Process

  • Publication Process

  • Introduction: An overview of the Special Issue process and the role of the guest editor in ensuring that submissions meet the Journal's standards.
  • Journal policies: Information on the Journal's editorial policies and guidelines, including submission and formatting requirements.
  • Manuscript preparation: Guidelines for preparing and submitting manuscripts, including formatting requirements, citation styles, and manuscript length.
  • Scope and focus: Information on the scope and focus of the special issue, including the types of articles that are appropriate for the issue.
  • Review process: Information on the peer review process, including guidelines for selecting reviewers and managing the review process.
  • Ethical considerations: Guidelines for ensuring that submissions adhere to ethical standards, such as guidelines for authorship and data sharing.
  • Publication: Information on the publication process, including the timeline for publication and distribution channels.

By considering these points before beginning the review process, you can ensure that you are well-prepared to provide a thorough, objective, and constructive review that meets the standards of the Journal.

Guest editors have ethical responsibilities when it comes to managing a Special Issue of an academic journal. These responsibilities include ensuring the integrity and quality of the research published in the Special Issue, maintaining the confidentiality of the review process, and ensuring that all submissions meet the ethical standards of the field.

  • Ensuring the quality of the research: Guest editors should ensure that all submissions meet the standards of the field and that the research is of high quality. They should also work with authors to address any issues or concerns that arise during the review process.
  • Protecting the confidentiality of the review process: Guest editors should ensure that the review process remains confidential and that all reviewers are appropriately qualified and unbiased.
  • Addressing conflicts of interest: Guest editors should disclose any potential conflicts of interest and ensure that these are appropriately managed throughout the review process.
  • Ensuring ethical standards are met: Guest editors should ensure that all submissions meet ethical standards, including guidelines for authorship, data sharing, and other ethical considerations.
  • Encouraging diversity and inclusion: Guest editors should actively seek out submissions from a diverse range of authors and ensure that the special issue reflects a range of perspectives.

The submission process of guest editors typically involves several steps, including selecting the topic of the special issue, inviting submissions, managing the review process, and preparing the final manuscripts for publication.

  • Topic selection: The guest editor(s) select a topic for the special issue based on their expertise and the Journal's focus. The guest editor(s) then write a call for papers outlining the scope and focus of the Special Issue.
  • Inviting submissions: The guest editor(s) distribute the call for papers to potential contributors, either through direct invitations or through wider announcements. The guest editor(s) may also actively seek out submissions from authors whose work is relevant to the topic. STM provides an online manuscript submission and tracking service via the Internet facilitating a speedy and cost-effective submission of manuscripts. Click Here to submit the manuscript online.
  • Review process: Once submissions are received, the guest editor(s) manage the peer review process, which typically involves selecting qualified reviewers, coordinating review timelines, and making final decisions on which papers to accept or reject.
  • Preparing final manuscripts: Once papers have been accepted for publication, the guest editor(s) work with the authors to ensure that the final manuscripts meet the Journal's standards and requirements. This may involve providing feedback on manuscript revisions, ensuring that ethical guidelines are followed, and working with authors to address any issues that arise during the production process.
  • Publication: Once the final manuscripts are submitted, the Journal's editorial team takes over the publication process, which includes copyediting, typesetting, and proofreading. The guest editor(s) may be involved in final proofreading and may write an introduction to the special issue.

By including these elements in your review, you can provide a comprehensive and well-structured assessment of the manuscript that contributes to the academic publishing process.

  • Selection of papers: Once papers are submitted, the guest editor(s) review them to determine whether they are a good fit for the Special Issue. The guest editor(s) may also solicit feedback from other members of the editorial team or the journal's advisory board.
  • Selection of reviewers: The guest editor(s) select qualified reviewers with expertise in the topic area covered by the Special Issue. Reviewers may be chosen based on their previous publications or recommendations from other experts in the field.
  • Review process: Reviewers provide feedback on the submissions, typically using a standardized review form. The guest editor(s) consider the reviewers' feedback along with their own assessment of the submission and make a decision on whether to accept, reject, or request revisions to the manuscript.
  • Decision process: The guest editor(s) communicate the decision to the author(s) and provide feedback on how to revise the manuscript if necessary. Once the final manuscripts are submitted, the journal's editorial team takes over the publication process.

Throughout the peer-review process, guest editors are responsible for ensuring that the submissions are evaluated objectively and fairly, and that the review process is conducted in a timely manner. They must also ensure that the reviewers selected are qualified to evaluate the submissions and that the authors receive constructive feedback on their work.

  • Copyediting and Typesetting: Once the final manuscripts are submitted, the journal's editorial team copyedits and typesets the papers. This includes checking for grammatical errors, formatting the papers according to the journal's style guide, and preparing them for online and/or print publication.
  • Proofreading: The authors and guest editor(s) receive proofs of the papers to review for any errors or omissions. They have the opportunity to make final corrections before the papers are published.
  • Publication: Once the final corrections are made, the papers are published either online, in print, or both. The guest editor(s) may write an introduction or editorial for the Special Issue, highlighting the importance and relevance of the papers published in the issue.

Throughout the publication process, guest editors are responsible for ensuring that the papers are accurate and complete, and that they meet the standards of the journal. They should work closely with the journal's editorial team to ensure that the papers are published on time and in a format that meets the needs of the journal's readership.

Guest Editor's Support

To receive further assistance on joining as a Guest Editor or Proposing Special Issue Topics, please contact us via email at info@stmjournals.com or submit your query through our online portal.

Click here for FAQs related to Special Issues.

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