Approval and editorial accountability

Every special issue must have an approved scientific rationale consistent with HNCBT’s scope. A proposal should identify the theme, guest editors, intended article types, timetable and any funding or sponsorship. The journal’s editorial leadership retains oversight and responsibility for the publication process and final decisions.

Guest editor responsibilities

Guest editors must have relevant expertise and disclose competing interests before appointment and as circumstances change. Their role includes developing the scientific remit, suggesting appropriate reviewers and assisting with assessment within the journal’s procedures. They must protect confidentiality and must not promise publication to invited authors.

A guest editor must recuse themselves from a submission they authored or one involving close collaborators, their institution where a material conflict exists, or another relevant relationship. Such manuscripts require independent handling by the journal and the same review standards as other contributions. A guest editor must not select or control reviewers for their own work.

Review and scientific standards

Research and review articles undergo the standard double-anonymous external review process. Invitations, sponsorship, a deadline or the target size of an issue do not justify reduced assessment. Editors may request additional reports, decline an unsuitable manuscript or consider it for regular publication instead. Requested citations must be scientifically relevant and must not serve a guest editor’s or issue’s metrics.

Transparency and fees

A public call should identify the theme, guest editors and affiliations, deadline and applicable fee arrangements. The standard APC is USD 350 per accepted article unless a specific written waiver or discount applies. Sponsorship must be disclosed, with its role stated; it must not determine the findings or acceptance of individual articles. Authors retain copyright under CC BY 4.0.

Oversight after publication

The journal may intervene when guest editing, review or solicitation does not meet these requirements. Special-issue articles remain subject to the usual integrity procedures and correction and retraction policy. Ending or changing a guest editor’s appointment does not remove the journal’s responsibility for the published record. Proposals and questions can be directed to the Editorial Office.