A Special Issue constitutes a dedicated compilation of articles within a journal, concentrating on a specific topic or theme. It serves as a platform for in-depth exploration and discussion, focusing on emerging research areas or specific facets within a particular field. The primary objective of Special Issues is to showcase the latest advancements, present novel findings, and stimulate further investigation and collaboration within the designated subject area.
Typically curated by a Lead Guest Editor, an expert in the field, alongside a team of Guest Editors, Special Issues play a pivotal role in managing the peer review process, making decisions on submitted manuscripts, and contributing to the overall success of the collection. These curated issues present researchers with an opportunity to share their work, contribute to existing knowledge, and gain visibility within their field.
Special Issues offer a focused platform for researchers to delve into specific topics, facilitating knowledge dissemination and exchange among experts in the field. They serve as a valuable resource for researchers, enabling them to explore specific subjects in-depth and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge within their respective fields.
Key Advantages of Publishing in a Special Issue:
Greater Discoverability: Articles in Special Issues benefit from enhanced discoverability and more frequent citations, owing to their integration within a thematic collection.
Ease of Navigation: Clustering papers within specific topics aids scholars in navigating through the content of broad-scope journals more efficiently.
External Promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal’s social media channels, amplifying visibility and readership within relevant subject areas.
Rigorous Peer-Review: Special Issue articles undergo the same rigorous and independent peer-review process as regular papers, ensuring quality and reliability. Guest Editors, often influential researchers in the discipline, oversee this process.
Expand Research Network: Special Issues provide an excellent avenue to discover potential collaborators among authors contributing to the collection of articles.
e-Book Opportunity: Articles in Special Issues featuring more than 10 contributions may have the opportunity to appear in an e-book, further extending the reach and impact of the research.
The Combinatorial Press Editorial Office routinely extends invitations to scholars for the guest editing of Special Issues, focusing on topics of interest to the scientific community. We actively encourage proposals from our readers and authors, directly submitted to us, encompassing subjects within their respective fields of expertise. The Editorial Team, in conjunction with the Editor-in-Chief, will supervise the appointment of Guest Editors and scrutinize Special Issue proposals to ensure content relevance and appropriateness for the journal. To propose a Special Issue, kindly complete all required information for submission;
Comprehensive Guidelines for Special Issue Proposals:
The submission must encompass the following:
- Journal Title: Ensure that the proposed topic aligns with the journal’s scope.
- Tentative Title of the Special Issue: Clearly reflect the subject matter of interest.
- Submission Deadline: Specify the timeframe for submissions, ranging from 6 to 12 months.
- List of Guest Editor(s): Provide names, affiliations, email addresses, websites, research interests, and ORCID identifiers. Given the time and demands of guest editing, collaborative efforts with 1–3 colleagues or scholars are encouraged, with defined responsibilities and work distribution.
- Summary of the Special Issue (150–200 words) and Relevant Keywords (3–10 words): Briefly articulate the motivation, main topics, covered areas, and the types of submissions suitable for the Special Issue.
- Information for Planned Papers or Potential Authors (at least ten planned papers or a list with at least 15 potential authors): Include names, emails, affiliations of authors, and optionally, tentative titles of planned papers. Recognizing that not all planned papers may be accepted post peer review, proposing more papers than anticipated for inclusion is advisable.
- Customized Call for Papers Letter by the Guest Editor(s) (optional): If provided, the call for papers letter should succinctly describe the Special Issue, motivating potential contributors to submit their research. The editorial office can assist in reaching out to potential contributors.
- Plan to Promote the Special Issue (optional): Specify your strategy for promoting the Special Issue, detailing how you plan to advertise and attract contributors. Additionally, indicate ways in which the editorial office can offer support in this regard.
Combinatorial Press Guest Editor Guidelines
This guide elucidates the roles undertaken by Guest Editors engaged in the Special Issue process and furnishes comprehensive insights into the editorial procedures of CP journals. It aims to streamline communication channels and bolster the triumph of a Special Issue.
Guest Editor Responsibilities and Ethical Standards
- Adherence to Publication Ethics: Guest Editors are required to familiarize themselves with CP’s Policies on Publication Ethics. Guest Editors are expected to fully comply with the Code of Conduct and Best Practice.
- Content Relevance: Ensuring congruence between the published content within the Special Issue and the journal’s title and scope is a paramount responsibility of the Guest Editor.
- Citation Policies: Guest Editors must refrain from soliciting authors to include references solely to augment citations to their own or affiliates’ works, the journal, or any other associated journal. The addition of irrelevant references is strongly discouraged, aligning with COPE guidelines on citation manipulation.
- Editor’s Submission: While Special Issues may incorporate contributions from Guest Editors, the number of such submissions should be limited to maintain diversity and inclusivity in authorship representing the research area. Articles submitted by Guest Editors will be handled by Editorial Board members.
- Confidentiality: Guest Editors are obligated to uphold the confidentiality of all materials submitted to the journal, encompassing communications for Editors only and the identities of reviewers, unless an open peer review process is in place after publication.
- Conflicts of Interest: All individuals involved in the peer review process must diligently declare any conflicts of interest. Any association that might, or could be perceived to, interfere with the impartial assessment, peer review, and decision-making process should be disclosed. Guest Editors should recuse themselves from the process in the presence of a conflict of interest, and an alternative Editor will be appointed.
- Declaration of Competing Interests: Any potential editorial conflicts of interest should be promptly communicated in writing to the publisher before the Editor’s appointment, with subsequent updates if new conflicts arise. The publisher may publish such declarations in the journal. Guest Editors are also required to disclose potential conflicts of interest by authors and reviewers in line with ICMJE guidelines, such as the ‘Disclosure of Interest.’
Guest Editor Responsibilities
- Introduction of Special Issue: Guest Editors are tasked with formulating the title, summary, and keywords for the Special Issue to effectively introduce it to authors and readers.
- Contributor Engagement: Guest Editors play a pivotal role in compiling a list of potential contributors and extending invitations to investigators in the relevant field to contribute to the Special Issue.
- Peer Review Oversight: Guest Editors are responsible for pre-screening and supervising the entire peer review process. They also hold the authority to make decisions regarding new submissions in their Special Issue.
- Promotion Strategies: Active promotion of the Special Issue is crucial for its success. Guest Editors are encouraged to promote the Special Issue at conferences, on social media platforms, and other relevant avenues.
Special Issue Composition and Recommendations
- A successful Special Issue typically comprises 10 or more papers, along with an optional editorial written by the Guest Editor(s). To ensure this, collecting more than 10 planned papers is recommended, considering that some manuscripts may not pass peer review or may not be submitted.
- The Guest Editor, being an expert in their field, may choose to involve early career researchers in their team. However, the supervision of the peer review process and decision-making on manuscripts rests solely with the Guest Editor.
Benefits for Guest Editors
- Guest Editing offers a valuable opportunity for networking and communication with scholars in the research community.
- Guest Editors contribute to accelerating the global dissemination of science and fostering new collaborations.
Effective Promotion Strategies for Guest Editors
- Incorporate the Special Issue into Email Signature: Start by adding the title and URL of the Special Issue to your email signature.
- Utilize Social Media Platforms: Leverage the power of social media for instant dissemination. Guest Editors are encouraged to post updates on Twitter and LinkedIn or announce the project on ResearchGate, tagging CP or the journal’s Twitter account for wider visibility.
- Feature on Website Homepage: Enhance the visibility of the Special Issue by prominently featuring it on the homepage of your website.
- Onsite Promotion at Academic Events: Introduce the Special Issue to colleagues at academic events, especially during presentations. Prepare a slide about the Special Issue to broadcast the open call for submissions to the audience.
Currently, there are no open special issues available for submission.
No special issue has been published at the moment.