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Cluster Computing

The Journal of Networks, Software Tools and Applications

Publishing model:
Hybrid

Cluster Computing - Special Issue Guidelines

Guidelines for Special Issue Proposals
 

Cluster Computing is committed to upholding the highest standards of quality and integrity in the peer-review and publication of its articles. The recent incidences of so-called paper mills deliberately manipulating the editorial processes of Guest-Edited issues are of grave concern to us. In response, we have put in place several new safeguards to protect the integrity of our peer-review process and publication record from these dishonest and malicious attempts, including:

  • Appointing a dedicated Editor-in-Chief of Special Issues responsible for overseeing each new Guest-Edited collection of Cluster Computing from its proposal to publication.
  • Reducing the overall number of Guest-Edited issues published by the journal, and implementing a limit on the number of Guest-Edited collections that may be in production concurrently.
  • Formally communicating the dangers of paper mills to all Editorial Board Members to increase understanding of these practices and sensitivity to potentially unethical content.
  • Repeated our commitment to COPE guidance on identifying systematic manipulation of the publication process.

We welcome special issue proposals that meet our current guidelines:

  • Special Issues originating from conferences or workshops organized around specific themes.
  • Special Issues proposed by members of the Editorial Board or individuals within their networks.
  • Special Issues commissioned by the Editor in Chief or Section Editors.

If you wish to propose a special issue, please provide the information outlined below. Submit your proposal to Yaser Jararweh, SI Editor in Chief, at Yaser.amd@gmail.com (this opens in a new tab). All guest editors must be copied on your email using their institutional email addresses. 

We will reply to all proposals, but not all proposals will be taken forward as special issues of the journal.  Where we see potential in a proposal, the Editor in Chief will work with the Guest Editors to develop the proposal before making a final decision on taking the proposed issue forward.

SPECIAL ISSUE PROPOSAL INFORMATION NEEDED:

GUEST EDITOR INFORMATION

  • Names of all guest editors including full affiliations and institutional email addresses
  • Brief CVs of all guest editors and/or links to their institutional webpages
  • Nomination for the lead guest editor

CONTENT – (your Call for Papers draft)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • How many submissions do you anticipate?
  • All Special Issues must have an open Call for Papers. Please specify if you intend to attract submissions to the special issue in other ways as well. 
  • If your issue is based on a conference or workshop, please specify.

EDITORIAL PROCEDURE

For all submissions, this Journal adheres to the standard Peer Review Policy, Process and Guidance (this opens in a new tab) as outlined by Springer under Editorial Policies (this opens in a new tab) in the Information for Journal Authors (this opens in a new tab) web page.

All submissions to Springer journals are first reviewed for completeness and only then sent to be assessed by an Editor who will decide whether they are suitable for peer review. Where an Editor is on the author list or has any other competing interest regarding a specific manuscript, another member of the Editorial Board will be assigned to oversee peer review. Editors will consider the peer-reviewed reports when making a decision, but they are not bound by the opinions or recommendations therein. A concern raised by a single peer reviewer or the Editor themself may result in the manuscript being rejected. Authors receive peer review reports with the editorial decision on their manuscript.

Furthermore, we are working with the Springer Nature Research Integrity department to identify and retract all improperly-reviewed paper mill articles that have already been published. Expressions of ethical concern from independent researchers and readers are welcomed and encouraged during this time.

Cluster Computing is proud of its record of publishing high quality and impactful research since its launch.  We are dedicated to following the best practices guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and ensuring that we continue to serve our community in the publication of important, ethical content in the future.

Thank you for reading.
Kathleen Wilson

Publisher, Cluster Computing
On behalf of Springer and the Editorial leadership of Cluster Computing

Last updated May 2023

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