Evaluating Special Issue Proposals

ICRP journals often publish Special Issues, which are thematic collections of articles focusing on a current research area within a journal's scope. These issues are proposed and managed by a team of Guest Editors responsible for the peer review process and promotion of the Special Issue.

Before green-lighting a Special Issue, we consult our Editorial Board Members for insights on the proposal’s relevance, potential impact on the journal and field, and the Guest Editor team's qualifications. Based on this feedback, ICRP's Content Development Team makes the final decision to proceed.

Guidance on Assessing a Special Issue Proposal:

Evaluating the Scope: Special Issue proposals begin as Calls for Papers, which, upon approval, guide researchers in contributing their manuscripts.

• Relevance to the Journal: The foremost criterion is the topic's alignment with the journal's scope, detailed under the journal’s ‘About’ section.
• Balance in Scope: The Special Issue should target a specific segment of the journal's scope—broad enough to attract numerous submissions but focused enough to maintain coherence.
• Timeliness and Novelty: The proposal must highlight the topic's current relevance and the necessity for new research.
• Clarity and Conciseness: A well-crafted proposal should succinctly entice potential contributors, emphasizing quality over quantity in submissions.
• Specificity: Proposals should clearly delineate their focus, avoiding broad themes that span the journal's entire scope. The proposed topics must directly relate to the Special Issue's narrower theme.

The ideal structure for a proposal includes:

• A concise, descriptive title no longer than 10 words, avoiding vague phrases and questions.
• An introductory paragraph summarizing the topic's significance within the broader field.
• A discussion on the key challenges facing research in the topic area.
• A conclusive paragraph outlining the Special Issue's aims and scope, detailing the type of studies sought.
• 5-15 suggested topics, acting as guidance for potential authors. These should be specific, detailed, and aligned with the Issue's theme.

Assessing the Editorial Team: Special Issues are led by a Lead Guest Editor alongside 2-5 supporting Guest Editors, listed in the proposal with their affiliations.

• Editorial Competence: ICRP verifies the Guest Editors’ credentials against the journal’s standards. Consider their publication record and professional experience for a comprehensive assessment of their capability to manage submissions effectively.
• Diversity and Inclusivity: We advocate for editorial teams comprising individuals from various institutions and locations to minimize conflicts of interest and broaden the Special Issue's reach.

In reviewing the team, databases like Web of Science, Scopus, or Google Scholar can be useful for examining the Guest Editors' publication history.

By following these guidelines, Editorial Board Members play a pivotal role in shaping the content and impact of Special Issues, ensuring they contribute meaningfully to the journal's field and adhere to ICRP's standards of quality and integrity.