Special Issue Policy
The Journal of Integrated Social Sciences and Wellbeing (JISSAW) publishes Special Issues to explore emerging trends, critical challenges, and niche topics at the intersection of social sciences and human flourishing. This policy ensures all special collections maintain the same ethical rigor and peer-review standards as our regular issues, in full compliance with COPE and DOAJ guidelines.
1. Proposal Submission
Proposals are welcomed from senior researchers and established experts. A formal proposal must include:
- Title & Scope: A focused title (e.g., "Digital Wellbeing in the Age of AI" or "Social Determinants of Post-Pandemic Resilience") and a detailed description of the thematic focus.
- Rationale: An explanation of why this topic is timely and how it advances the fields of sociology, psychology, public health, or education.
- Guest Editors: Names, affiliations, and CVs of the proposed Guest Editors, demonstrating their expertise in the subject matter.
- Timeline: A realistic schedule for the "Call for Papers," submission deadline, and expected publication date.
2. Review and Approval
All proposals are evaluated by the JISSAW Editorial Board. Approval is based on the topic’s relevance to contemporary global challenges (e.g., UN Sustainable Development Goals) and the academic credibility of the Guest Editors. A decision is typically communicated within 4 weeks.
3. Editorial Integrity and Oversight
To prevent conflicts of interest and ensure quality, JISSAW enforces strict oversight:
- Peer Review: All manuscripts submitted to a Special Issue undergo the journal’s standard double-blind peer review process.
- Editor Independence: Guest Editors cannot act as reviewers for their own papers or papers written by their close associates.
- Final Authority: The Editor-in-Chief retains the absolute right to reject any paper even if recommended by Guest Editors, if it does not meet the journal’s standards of quality or ethics.
