Special Thematic Sections – Guidelines for Prospective Guest Editors

JSPP offers the possibility for guest editors to organize special thematic sections to appear in JSPP, depending on their size either as a whole issue or along with regular articles.

There are different ways of organizing a special section for JSPP. Usually, prospective guest editors submit an outline detailing their plans for the special section to the editors. The outline should present (1) the rationale and intended overall contribution of the special section; (2) a preliminary list of manuscripts (authors, titles) that will likely be part of the special section; and (3) the envisaged time schedule. In consultation with members of the Editorial Board, the editors will decide whether the guest editors are invited to go ahead with organizing the special section for JSPP, and offer feedback to be considered by the guest editors. If the outline for the special section has been approved, the guest editors invite contributions, ideally through invitations to selected authors as well as an open Call for Papers (published as an announcement on JSPP's website and via relevant mailing lists). The guest editors are responsible for the review process, which should consider JSPP's general review criteria. Once all contributions have been selected and finalized, the guest editors submit the manuscripts to the editors. In consultation with members of the Editorial Board, the editors may offer feedback for further consideration by the guest editors and/or request further changes. It is expected that at this stage only minor changes will be requested.

A special section should contain at least three individual manuscripts plus a thorough introduction. It can include manuscripts of different types, including theoretical articles, review articles, original research reports, and commentaries (see JSPP's regular journal sections). The introduction should ideally provide a critical review and assessment of the field that identifies the existing theoretical and methodological shortcomings (and possibly ethical and practical issues). It should also explain how the manuscripts in the special section tackle these issues.

Special sections should be in line with JSPP's profile, by

• including high-quality work from different epistemological, methodological, theoretical, and cultural perspectives and from different regions across the globe;
• creatively stimulating academic scholarship through innovation, questioning of assumptions, critical analysis, controversy and debate; and
• discussing ethical issues and implications for applications aimed at social betterment and the promotion of social justice (in education, policymaking, professional practice, and/or advocacy and social action).

If you are interested in editing a special thematic section, please contact us.