Frequently asked questions

1. About the Journal

What subjects does the journal publish?

The journal publishes scholarly work within its stated aims and scope. Its subject areas, article types and editorial priorities are described on the Aims and Scope page. Authors should check that a manuscript is relevant to the journal before submitting it.

What types of manuscripts are accepted?

Depending on the journal’s scope, submissions may include original research articles, review articles, short communications, case reports, methods papers, perspectives or other specified scholarly contributions. The accepted article categories and their requirements are listed in the Author Guidelines.

Is the journal peer-reviewed?

Yes. Manuscripts that pass the initial editorial assessment are evaluated through the journal’s peer-review process. The review model and the roles of editors and reviewers are explained on the Peer Review Policy page.

Is the journal open access?

The journal’s access model is stated on its website. If it is fully open access, published articles are freely available to read, download and share in accordance with the applicable licence and copyright terms.

2. Manuscript Preparation and Submission

How do I prepare a manuscript for submission?

Authors should follow the journal’s Author Guidelines and use any required manuscript template. These instructions cover matters such as article structure, formatting, references, tables, figures, declarations and supplementary files.

How do I submit a manuscript?

Submit the manuscript through the journal’s designated online submission system at [submission link]. If the journal accepts submissions by email, use only the official address stated on the website. Do not submit the same manuscript through multiple channels.

Can I submit a manuscript that has already been published?

No. The journal generally considers original work that has not been published previously and is not under review by another journal. Any prior dissemination, such as a preprint, conference abstract or thesis, must be disclosed at submission and handled in accordance with the journal’s policy.

Can I submit a manuscript that is being considered by another journal?

No. A manuscript must not be under consideration by another journal at the same time. Simultaneous submission can breach publication ethics and may result in rejection.

What files should accompany my submission?

The required files depend on the article type. They may include the main manuscript, title page, figures, tables, supplementary materials, cover letter, ethical approval statement, consent documentation and relevant reporting checklists. Consult the submission checklist before uploading files.

Can I suggest reviewers?

Authors may be invited to suggest qualified reviewers with relevant expertise and no conflicts of interest. The editorial team is not obliged to use suggested reviewers and independently determines appropriate reviewer appointments. Authors should not nominate close collaborators or individuals with competing interests.

Can I make changes after submitting my manuscript?

If the manuscript has not yet entered review, contact the editorial office promptly to ask whether a replacement file can be accepted. Once review is underway, changes should not be made unless requested or authorised by the editor. Never upload a revised version as a new submission unless instructed.

3. Peer Review and Editorial Decisions

How long does the peer-review process take?

Review times vary according to the subject area, availability of suitable reviewers, manuscript complexity and the number of revision rounds. The journal may provide an indicative timeline, but it cannot guarantee a decision or publication date for an individual submission.

How can I check the status of my manuscript?

Authors can usually view the current status by signing in to the submission system. For a status that has not changed for an unusually long period, contact the editorial office and provide the manuscript ID and title.

What do the different manuscript statuses mean?

Status labels differ between submission systems. Common examples include 'Submitted' (received by the journal), 'With Editor' (being assessed by an editor), 'Under Review' (being evaluated by reviewers), 'Revision Required' (changes have been requested), and 'Accepted' or 'Rejected' (an editorial decision has been made).

Can a manuscript be rejected without peer review?

Yes. An editor may decline a submission after an initial assessment if it falls outside the journal’s scope, does not meet basic quality or reporting standards, raises ethical concerns, or is otherwise unsuitable for further consideration. This is commonly called a desk rejection.

What should I do if revisions are requested?

Address each editor and reviewer comment carefully. Submit a revised manuscript and a separate point-by-point response explaining the changes made. If a suggestion is not adopted, provide a clear and respectful justification. Mark revisions as requested by the journal.

Can I appeal an editorial decision?

An appeal may be considered where the author can identify a substantive factual error, a significant misunderstanding of the work or a procedural concern that may have affected the decision. Appeals should be submitted to [editorial contact] within [appeal period], with a concise explanation and supporting evidence. An appeal does not guarantee reversal of the decision.

Can I withdraw my manuscript?

Authors who wish to withdraw a manuscript should send a written request to the editorial office, stating the manuscript ID, title and reason for withdrawal. The manuscript should not be submitted elsewhere until the journal has confirmed the withdrawal in writing.

4. Publication Charges and Payments

Does the journal charge a submission fee?

The journal’s website should clearly state whether a submission fee applies. If no submission fee is charged, authors are not required to pay merely to submit a manuscript.

Does the journal charge an article processing charge (APC)?

Any article processing charge, publication fee or other author-facing cost must be stated on the journal’s Article Processing Charges page. Authors should review the amount, currency, payment stage and any applicable taxes before submission.

When is the publication fee payable?

Where an APC applies, payment is generally requested only after a manuscript has been formally accepted, unless the journal’s published policy clearly states otherwise. Payment does not influence peer review or editorial decisions.

Are waivers or discounts available?

The journal may offer full or partial waivers or discounts under its published eligibility criteria. Authors should consult the Waiver Policy and submit any request using the stated procedure. A waiver request should not affect the editorial assessment of the manuscript.

How can I verify a payment request?

Make payments only through the official methods and accounts published by the journal or publisher. If an invoice or payment instruction appears unusual, contact the editorial office or accounts department using the contact details on the official website before making payment.

5. Publication, Copyright and Access

How long does it take for an accepted article to be published?

After acceptance, the article may undergo copyediting, typesetting, author proof review and final production checks. Publication time depends on the completeness of the files and the production schedule. The journal should provide an estimated timeframe where possible.

Will I receive proofs before publication?

Where proof review is part of the production process, the corresponding author will receive proofs to check typesetting errors and accuracy. Proofs are not normally an opportunity for substantial changes to the research, authorship or conclusions. Authors should return corrections by the stated deadline.

Who owns the copyright of a published article?

Copyright ownership and any licence granted to readers are governed by the journal’s Copyright and Licensing policy. The journal should explain whether authors retain copyright and what rights are granted to the publisher.

Under what licence are articles published?

The licence applicable to each article is stated on the article webpage and in the published paper. Authors and readers should consult the licence terms for permitted sharing, reuse, adaptation and commercial use.

Can I share or deposit my published article in a repository?

Repository deposit and sharing are permitted according to the article’s licence and the journal’s self-archiving policy. Authors should check which version may be deposited, where it may be deposited and whether any conditions or embargoes apply.

Will my article receive a DOI?

If the journal assigns Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs), the DOI will be displayed on the article’s webpage and in the published version. A DOI provides a persistent identifier and does not, by itself, guarantee indexing in any particular database.

Can an article be corrected or retracted after publication?

Yes. If a significant error or concern is identified after publication, the journal will investigate it under its publication ethics and correction policies. Depending on the findings, the journal may publish a correction, expression of concern or retraction, with an appropriate record linked to the article.

6. Publication Ethics and Research Integrity

What ethical requirements must authors meet?

Authors must conduct and report research responsibly, provide accurate and complete information, acknowledge sources, disclose relevant funding and competing interests, and comply with applicable institutional and legal requirements. The journal’s Publication Ethics policy provides further details.

Is ethical approval required for research involving humans or animals?

Where applicable, authors must state that the study received approval from an appropriate research ethics committee or animal care and use committee, including the committee name and approval reference. Authors should also describe informed consent or other required safeguards. Requirements depend on the study and applicable regulations.

What is the journal’s policy on plagiarism?

Submitted manuscripts may be screened for text similarity and assessed for unattributed use of others’ work. Similarity reports are considered alongside editorial judgement; a similarity percentage alone does not determine whether plagiarism has occurred. Suspected misconduct is handled under the journal’s ethics procedures.

Can authorship be changed after submission?

Authorship changes are considered only for justified reasons and require the agreement of all affected authors, including anyone being added or removed. A written explanation and the journal’s authorship-change form or equivalent documentation may be required. Changes are subject to editorial approval.

What should be disclosed as a conflict of interest?

Authors should disclose financial, professional, personal or other relationships that could reasonably be perceived to influence the research or its interpretation. If no competing interests exist, authors should provide an explicit declaration to that effect.

How should suspected research or publication misconduct be reported?

Concerns should be sent to [ethics contact] with the article title or manuscript ID, a clear description of the concern and any supporting evidence. The journal will assess the information confidentially and follow its published procedures.

7. Reviewers

How are reviewers selected?

Reviewers are selected from the journal’s editorial board and a wider pool of qualified researchers with relevant subject expertise. Invitations are issued based on the manuscript’s topic, the reviewer’s experience and the absence of identifiable conflicts of interest. A manuscript is assigned only to individuals who agree to review it.

How long do reviewers have to complete a review?

The expected review period is communicated in the invitation. Reviewers should contact the editor promptly if they need an extension or are unable to complete the assessment within the agreed timeframe.

Can reviewers share or use a manuscript they are reviewing?

No. Manuscripts under review are confidential. Reviewers must not share, reproduce, use or discuss unpublished material outside the review process, except where authorised by the editor or required by applicable policy.

Can a reviewer decline an invitation?

Yes. Reviewers should decline if the subject is outside their expertise, they have a conflict of interest, or they cannot complete the review within the requested period. Where possible, they may recommend another suitably qualified reviewer.

8. Readers, Indexing and Technical Support

How can I access published articles?

Published articles can be accessed through the journal website. If an article is open access, readers may view and download it without a subscription, subject to the applicable licence.

Is the journal indexed in a particular database?

The journal’s current indexing and abstracting services are listed on its official website. Authors should verify the journal’s listing directly in the relevant database because coverage can change. Submission or acceptance does not guarantee indexing of an article.

How can I cite an article from the journal?

Use the citation information displayed on the article webpage or in the published PDF. Include the authors, publication year, article title, journal title, volume, issue, page range or article number, and DOI where available. Follow the citation style required by your institution or publication.

What should I do if I cannot access the submission system or an article?

Check your internet connection and try a current browser. If the problem continues, contact [technical support email] and include the page address, manuscript ID or article DOI, a description of the issue and (where useful) a screenshot. Do not send passwords or other confidential login details.

How can I contact the journal?

For editorial, submission and peer-review enquiries, contact [editorial email]. For payment and invoice enquiries, contact [accounts email]. For technical problems, contact [support email]. Include the manuscript ID or article DOI where relevant to help the team respond efficiently.