Special Issue Policy
SAER Journal · Editorial Policies
SAER Journal may publish special issues focused on a specific scientific topic, an emerging area of research, or an interdisciplinary theme.
Special issues must align with the journal's overall aims and scope and are subject to the same scientific, ethical, and editorial standards applied to regular issues.
Policy No. SAER-POL-SI-05 · Version 1.0 · Effective 2026 · Last Updated 14 September 2026 · Responsible Body SAER Journal Editorial Board
1. General Principle
Publishing a special issue does not create any exception to SAER Journal's principles concerning peer review, publication ethics, research integrity, conflicts of interest, or editorial independence.
All manuscripts submitted to special issues are evaluated according to the same fundamental scientific standards applied to other submissions, apart from their relevance to the special issue topic and scope.
2. Special Issue Proposals
Special issue proposals may be submitted by editors, editorial board members, researchers, or subject specialists. Proposals are evaluated with regard to the scientific significance and timeliness of the topic, its alignment with the journal's aims and scope, its potential contribution, and editorial feasibility.
Receipt of a special issue proposal or a favorable preliminary assessment does not guarantee that the special issue will be published. The final decision rests with SAER Journal's authorized editorial structure.
3. Guest Editors
Where appropriate, special issues may be managed by one or more guest editors with expertise in the relevant field. The scientific qualifications, subject expertise, commitment to publication ethics, and potential conflicts of interest of guest editors are considered.
Guest editors are required to comply with SAER Journal's publication policies within the scope of the special issue to which they are appointed.
4. Authority and Responsibilities of Guest Editors
Guest editors may undertake responsibilities such as developing the scientific focus of the special issue, recommending suitable reviewers, monitoring evaluation processes, and providing editorial recommendations.
The decision-making authority of guest editors operates within SAER Journal's editorial structure and publication policies. Where necessary, the journal may intervene in the special issue process or transfer the handling of a manuscript to another editor.
5. Peer Review Process
Research and review articles submitted to special issues are subject to independent peer review in accordance with the journal's Peer Review Policy.
An invitation to submit to a special issue does not exempt a manuscript from peer review or imply acceptance. Invited manuscripts must also meet the journal's scientific and ethical evaluation requirements.
6. Editorial Independence
The scientific content of special issues is managed independently of commercial, institutional, personal, or other inappropriate external influences. Sponsors, supporting institutions, or persons proposing a special issue may not interfere with peer review or final publication decisions for reasons unrelated to scientific criteria.
7. Manuscripts Submitted by a Guest Editor
If a guest editor submits their own manuscript to the special issue, that person may not participate in the preliminary evaluation, reviewer selection, reviewer correspondence, or final decision regarding the manuscript.
Such manuscripts are handled by an independent editor with no relevant conflict of interest and are subject to the same evaluation standards as other submissions.
8. Submissions by Editors and Editorial Board Members
SAER Journal editors or editorial board members may submit manuscripts to special issues. In such cases, the individual concerned must withdraw entirely from the evaluation process, and the manuscript must be handled by an independent editor.
9. Conflicts of Interest
Guest editors, reviewers, authors, and other individuals involved in the special issue process must disclose relevant actual or potential conflicts of interest.
A person with a significant conflict of interest must withdraw from the evaluation or decision-making process concerning the relevant manuscript.
10. Calls for Special Issues
Where a call for papers is issued for a special issue, it should, as far as possible, clearly state the topic, scope, key dates, submission method, and, where applicable, information about the guest editors.
Calls for papers must not contain misleading guarantees of acceptance, unusually rapid publication promises, or statements that undermine scientific evaluation.
11. Invited Manuscripts
SAER Journal or guest editors may invite particular researchers to submit work to a special issue. An invitation does not constitute a commitment that the manuscript will be accepted.
Invited manuscripts must also satisfy the journal's requirements concerning scope, ethics, scientific quality, and, where applicable, peer review.
12. Number of Articles and Editorial Balance
The number of articles in a special issue is determined with consideration of the topic's scope, scientific quality, and editorial capacity. Manuscripts that do not meet scientific standards are not published merely to fill the special issue.
If fewer manuscripts than planned successfully complete editorial evaluation, the special issue may be published with fewer articles, postponed, or, where necessary, cancelled.
13. Sponsorship and Financial Support
If a special issue is supported by an institution, project, or another source, that support is disclosed transparently.
Parties providing financial support have no editorial authority over the selection of manuscripts, appointment of reviewers, reviewer reports, or final publication decisions.
14. Fees
Any article processing or publication fees that may apply to manuscripts in special issues are determined in accordance with SAER Journal's current Fee Policy and are communicated clearly to authors.
An invitation to a special issue or a recommendation by a guest editor does not create any undisclosed or person-specific acceptance advantage under the fee policy.
15. Research Integrity
If plagiarism, data fabrication or falsification, inappropriate authorship, concealment of conflicts of interest, or other research-integrity concerns are identified during a special issue process, SAER Journal's relevant publication-ethics policies apply.
16. Cancellation of a Special Issue or Editorial Changes
If concerns arise regarding scientific quality, ethical issues, an insufficient number of suitable manuscripts, editorial capacity, or other significant reasons, SAER Journal may modify, postpone, or cancel the special issue plan.
If a guest editor is unable to continue their role or a situation arises that may affect editorial independence, the journal may replace the guest editor or continue the process through its own editorial structure.
17. Policy Review and Updating
SAER Journal may review and update this policy as necessary in response to developments in scientific and ethical good practice concerning special issue publishing.
