Guest Editors (GE) play a vital role in shaping and curating Special Issues for a journal. Each Special Issue proposal undergoes a rigorous evaluation process, during which it is carefully reviewed and approved by the Editor-in-Chief to ensure its relevance, quality, and alignment with the journal's scope and editorial standards.
Guest Editors are responsible for handling and managing the submission process for the Special/Thematic Issue. They are expected to submit a brief proposal on a hot and emerging topic for editorial consideration. Additionally, guest editors are expected to oversee the coordination, handling, and overall management of submissions for the issue.
A Special/Thematic Issue may be edited solely by the Guest Editor or co-edited in collaboration with another expert in the field, who may serve as a Co-Guest Editor.
A Thematic or Special Issue typically consists of 8 to 10 comprehensive review articles focused on a topic of significant importance to the field. Contributors should be established researchers with strong publication records (e.g., a respectable h-index) and should ideally represent diverse geographical regions to ensure diversity in contributions. Since all editorial decisions for thematic/special issue manuscripts are made by the Editor-in-Chief (EiC) of the journal in coordination with the Publisher, it is recommended that the Guest Editors (GE) provide a list of 12 to 14 potential contributors in their proposal, along with tentative article titles. This allows flexibility in case some submissions are deemed unsuitable by the EiC or do not pass the peer-review process.
Before proposing a Special/Thematic Issue proposal Guest Editors should thoroughly review the journal’s specific guidelines, typically available under the “Author Guidelines” section on the journal’s homepage. A thorough understanding of these requirements ensures that the proposal is aligned with the journal’s aims, scope, and submission criteria.
A Special Issue Proposal should include the following information:
Once all required information has been compiled, the Guest Editor should submit the completed proposal form through the designated proposal submission system. This platform ensures a streamlined submission process and ensures that the proposal reaches the appropriate editorial team for evaluation.
To submit a proposal, please visit the following link: https://benthamscience.manuscriptpoint.com/
The Guest Editor is responsible for nominating suitable authors for the Special or Thematic Issue. After the journal’s editor reviews and approves their credentials, the Guest Editor formally invites these contributors to submit quality manuscripts. All submissions must meet the journal’s standards for scientific content, originality, and presentation.
Manuscripts submitted for Special or Thematic Issues follow the same strict evaluation process as regular submissions. Each paper is independently reviewed by at least two (preferably three) qualified experts in the relevant field.
Guest Editors may recommend revisions and request resubmissions when necessary; however, all recommendations and decisions must be communicated through the Editorial Office. A manuscript will only be accepted for publication if it meets the criteria of originality and demonstrates significant research value. Final editorial decisions on all Special or Thematic Issue submissions are typically made by the Editor-in-Chief in consultation with the Publisher.
Contributors should be established researchers capable of providing an authoritative and up-to-date overview of recent advancements in their respective fields.
An invitation to submit a manuscript for a special or thematic issue does not guarantee acceptance for publication. Submissions may be declined if they fail to meet the journal's quality or ethical standards.
Manuscripts submitted to Bentham Open Science journals must be original, unpublished, and not under simultaneous consideration by any other journal. Authors must adhere to the ethical guidelines outlined at https://openpsychologyjournal.com/publishing-ethics.php
Guest Editors should clearly communicate the proposed timeline for the Special or Thematic Issue to all contributors. Manuscripts that are not submitted within the specified timeframe may be declined by the Publisher.
The peer review process for all manuscripts submitted to Bentham Open Science is conducted independently and remains entirely free from the Guest Editors' influence.
Authors must submit their manuscripts on the online submission and tracking system for efficient processing at https://benthamscience.manuscriptpoint.com / View Submission Instructions.