Special Issue Guest Editor Guidelines

1. Role and Responsibilities of Guest Editors

Guest Editors (GEs) play a critical role in ensuring the academic quality and successful development of Special Issues (SIs). Their primary responsibilities include:

· Defining the Special Issue Topic: Propose a clear and well-defined SI topic and articulate its relevance and significance to the research community.

· Author Identification and Outreach: Identify potential contributors and collaborate with the journal editorial office to invite submissions and promote the special issue.

· Timeline Management: Establish and manage a clear timeline for manuscript submission and peer review to ensure the timely publication of the Special Issue.

· Editorial Coordination: Work closely with the Editor-in-Chief (EiC) and other Guest Editors (if applicable) to address author queries and ensure that the Special Issue aligns with the journal's scope and editorial standards.

· Content Curation: Review the accepted manuscripts, and prepare the Guest Editorial for the Special Issue.

· Promotion and Dissemination: Promote the Special Issue through academic networks, conferences, professional communities, and social media platforms.

2. Ethical Responsibilities

Guest Editors must uphold our Publishing Policies and Ethical Standards.

2.1 Fair and Unbiased Peer Review

Guest Editors are responsible for ensuring that the peer review process is conducted in a fair, impartial, and transparent manner.

· Select reviewers with appropriate subject expertise.

· Screen reviewers for potential conflicts of interest (COIs).

· Ensure that all reviews are conducted through the journal's official submission system.

· Maintain a timely and transparent peer review process.

2.2 Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Guest Editors must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest before accepting the appointment.

· Any new COIs that arise during the editorial process must be reported to the publisher immediately upon identification.

· Guest Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts authored or co-authored by family members, colleagues, or entities with financial or academic relationships.

2.3 Content Integrity and Citation Ethics

Guest Editors must ensure that all manuscripts are evaluated solely on their academic merit.

· Editorial recommendations must not be influenced by the authors' nationality, institutional affiliation, gender, or personal background.

· Guest Editors must not request authors to include irrelevant citations intended to artificially increase citation counts for themselves, the journal, or affiliated researchers.

· Manuscripts must contain original research and comply with the journal's publication ethics policies and standards.

3. Guest Editor Appointment and Eligibility

The appointment of Guest Editors is subject to approval by the journal's Editorial Board and publisher. Guest Editors must meet the following criteria:

· Demonstrate recognized expertise in the relevant research field.

· Hold an accredited academic or research affiliation.

· Have a strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.

· Have no unresolved ethical violations related to academic publishing.

4. Publisher Support and System Access

Guest Editors will receive support from the journal's editorial office throughout the Special Issue editorial process.

Support includes:

· Access to the journal's submission system to monitor manuscript submissions and review progress.

· Editorial office assistance with manuscript processing and reviewer invitations.

· Guidance on publication policies and ethical standards.

· Production and publication support once manuscripts are accepted.

5. Submitting a Special Issue Proposal

Prospective Guest Editors who wish to propose a Special Issue should submit a proposal through the "Submitting a Proposal" page.