Overview
Synergy Publishers is committed to fostering innovative and impactful scholarly discourse by facilitating the publication of Special Issues that address emerging, interdisciplinary, or highly specialized topics. These guidelines provide a structured framework for Guest Editors, authors, and reviewers to ensure the highest standards of academic excellence, ethical integrity, and alignment with Synergy Publishers’ mission to advance global research.
Purpose of Special Issues
Special Issues aim to explore novel or timely topics, highlight cutting-edge research, or provide in-depth analysis within a specific field or interdisciplinary area. They are curated by Guest Editors who propose and oversee the development of thematic content, ensuring relevance, originality, and scholarly rigor.
Responsibilities of Guest Editors
Guest Editors play a pivotal role in the conceptualization, coordination, and execution of Special Issues. Their responsibilities include:
• Proposing the Special Issue: Submit a detailed proposal outlining the theme, scope, objectives, and relevance of the Special Issue. Proposals should include a tentative title, a 300–500-word summary, and a list of potential contributors or topics.
• Coordinating Contributions: Invite and solicit high-quality manuscripts from experts in the field, ensuring diversity in authorship and perspectives.
• Overseeing Peer Review: Manage the peer review process in collaboration with the Editor-in-Chief, ensuring adherence to Synergy Publishers’ single-blind peer review model and ethical standards.
• Writing the Introductory Editorial: Provide a 1000–1500-word editorial introducing the Special Issue, its significance, and the contributions of included articles.
• Promoting the Special Issue: Actively promote the Special Issue within academic and professional networks to maximize visibility and impact.
• Ensuring Timeliness: Adhere to agreed-upon timelines for submission, review, and publication, typically spanning 6–12 months from proposal approval to publication.
Guest Editors must comply with Synergy Publishers’ editorial policies, including conflict of interest disclosure and confidentiality, in accordance with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines.
Submission Process for Special Issues
• Proposal Submission: Guest Editors must submit their Special Issue proposal via the Synergy Publishers Submission System. Email submissions are not accepted.
• Proposal Review: The Editor-in-Chief, in consultation with the Editorial Board, evaluates proposals based on originality, relevance, and alignment with the journal’s scope. Feedback or revisions may be requested.
• Call for Papers: Upon approval, Guest Editors collaborate with the Editorial Office to issue a public Call for Papers, detailing the theme, submission deadlines, and guidelines.
• Manuscript Submission: Authors submit manuscripts through the Synergy Publishers Submission System, clearly indicating the Special Issue title. A Cover Letter confirming originality, ethical compliance, and authorship approval is required.
• Peer Review: Manuscripts undergo rigorous single-blind peer review, coordinated by the Guest Editor in collaboration with the Editorial Office. At least 2–3 independent reviewers are assigned per manuscript.
Manuscript Requirements
Manuscripts submitted to a Special Issue must adhere to the same standards outlined in the Synergy Publishers Guidelines for Authors. Key requirements include:
• Article Types: Special Issues may include Research Articles, Review Articles, Systematic Reviews, Commentaries, Perspectives, Case Reports, or Brief Communications/Letters, as defined in the Guidelines for Authors.
• Formatting: Manuscripts must follow the general formatting guidelines, including Times New Roman, 12 pt font for body text, single-spaced, 2.5 cm margins, and page numbers at the bottom center.
• Structure: Include a Title Page, Abstract (150–250 words), Keywords (5–8 terms), Main Text (with numbered sections), Declarations, and References in APA format.
• Figures and Tables: High-resolution (300 dpi) figures and sequentially numbered tables, with captions placed appropriately.
• Graphical Abstract and Highlights: Optional but encouraged, submitted as separate files (Graphical Abstract: 531×1328 px, 96 dpi; Highlights: 3–5 bullet points, ≤85 characters each).
• Reporting Guidelines: Adhere to relevant standards (e.g., CONSORT, PRISMA, CARE, STROBE, ARRIVE, COREQ) based on the article type.
• File Formats: Submit manuscripts in Word or LaTeX (editable) with line and page numbers. Figures in JPG, TIFF, PNG, or EPS (max 10 MB each). Supplementary materials in ZIP format (max 4 MB).
Publication Ethics
All manuscripts submitted to Special Issues must comply with Synergy Publishers’ Publication Ethics and Authors Guidelines. Authors must submit original, unpublished work, avoid simultaneous submissions, and ensure proper citation to prevent plagiarism or self-plagiarism. Ethical approval and informed consent are required for studies involving humans or animals. Guest Editors and reviewers must monitor for misconduct, such as falsification, fabrication, or image manipulation, and report any concerns to the Editor-in-Chief.
Copyright and Licensing
Articles published in Special Issues are subject to the same copyright and licensing policies as regular submissions. Authors retain intellectual property rights and grant Synergy Publishers a license to publish under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). Authors unable to retain copyright (e.g., government employees) must notify the Editorial Office prior to publication.
Reviewer Guidelines for Special Issues
Reviewers for Special Issues follow the same expectations outlined in the Guidelines for Reviewers. They are expected to:
• Conduct prompt, fair, and objective evaluations.
• Maintain confidentiality and disclose conflicts of interest.
• Assess manuscripts for originality, methodological soundness, ethical compliance, and adherence to reporting guidelines.
• Provide constructive feedback and a recommendation (Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, or Reject).
The Guest Editor, in collaboration with the Editor-in-Chief, selects reviewers based on expertise and impartiality, drawing from the Editorial Board, Reviewer Panel, or external databases.
Recognition for Guest Editors
Guest Editors are acknowledged for their contributions through:
• A published editorial credited to the Guest Editor(s).
• Optional listing on the journal’s website.
• Certificates of recognition.
• Opportunities to propose additional Special Issues or join the Editorial Board, subject to Editor-in-Chief approval.
Transfer of Articles
If a manuscript is of high quality but unsuitable for the Special Issue, it may, with the authors’ consent, be considered for transfer to another Synergy Publishers journal or a regular issue of the same journal.
Contact
For inquiries or to submit a Special Issue proposal, contact the Editorial Office via the Synergy Publishers Submission System. Guest Editors are encouraged to consult with the Editor-in-Chief for guidance throughout the process.
