Editorial independence
Editorial decisions must be based on scholarly merit, relevance to the journal’s scope, research integrity and the quality of the evidence. Ownership, sponsorship, advertising, fundraising and financial considerations must not determine manuscript outcomes. Editors must not receive compensation linked to the acceptance of individual manuscripts.
The publisher is responsible for supporting the editorial office’s resources and continuity while respecting its authority over individual manuscripts. The appointed Editor-in-Chief will be accountable for editorial standards throughout the journal. The publisher and editorial leadership must document their respective responsibilities, a process for resolving disagreements, and arrangements for independently handling concerns involving the Editor-in-Chief.
Special-issue process
Any special-issue proposal must describe its scholarly purpose, relationship to the journal’s scope, intended contribution, proposed guest editors and planned timetable. Before approval, the editorial leadership must check the guest editors’ expertise, affiliations and competing interests. An agreed remit must define their responsibilities and the journal’s continuing oversight.
Special-issue research manuscripts must meet the same standards as regular submissions, including double-anonymous review by at least two independent reviewers, research ethics requirements and editorial checks. Guest editors may recommend decisions within their approved remit, but a designated journal editor must oversee the process and retain final accountability. Articles must identify their special-issue context.
Manuscripts authored by guest editors or other conflicted participants must be handled independently, without their involvement in reviewer selection or decisions. Guest-editor-authored papers must comprise no more than one quarter of a special issue. Invitations to contribute must not promise acceptance.
Schedule and responsibilities
Special-issue timetables must fit the journal’s twice-yearly schedule and editorial capacity, and must be communicated clearly to authors.
Related policies address peer review, publication ethics, and fees and funding.