Proposing a Special Issue

Special Issues provide an opportunity to bring together significant contributions that help advance the community’s understanding and ability to address key issues. JBCS Special Issues are categorized into three types: Advanced Topic, Best Papers, and Thematic Chapter. Each category has its own focus but is published under the Special Issue label, accompanied by a preface.

  • Advanced Topic: Focuses on cutting-edge or emerging subjects. Typically submitted by senior researchers that propose the special issue as an open call.
  • Best Papers: Gathers extended versions of standout articles from conferences and workshops. Typically submitted by PC chairs inviting best papers already accepted.
  • Thematic Chapter: Covers specific problems, challenges, or opportunities within a particular theme. Typically submitted by Special Commission of SBC.

Proposal Description

To initiate a Special Issue, the first step is to contact the JBCS editorial team at jbcs@icomp.ufam.edu.br to express your interest. Your proposal should answer the following questions:

  • What will be the source of the articles? Original papers? Extended versions from conference or workshop?
  • If the articles are extended versions, will they include at least 30% new content?
  • What is your proposed timeline for the issue, from submission to publication? Ideally, this should be no longer than one year.
  • Who will serve as the Guest Editors?

Once your proposal is approved, the editorial team will designate one Guest Editor as the main point of contact. While multiple individuals can be involved in the management, for operational purposes, only one editor should be the primary contact for communication.

Call for Papers for the Special Issue

The Guest Editor is responsible for preparing and widely disseminating a Call for Papers for the special issue. Although we do not have a standard format for the call, we have put together a very simple example, which the Guest Editors are by no means obliged to follow. We encourage the Guest Editors to look for examples of previous calls for special issues that have been posted elsewhere to serve as a guide for crafting a call for papers.

Managing the Special Issue

All papers for a Special Issue must be submitted via the SOL system. The JBCS editorial team will create a dedicated "Section" within the submission platform (SOL) for your Special Issue. Authors must be instructed to select this section when submitting their papers. If an article is not submitted under a special issue section, it will be considered for regular editions.

Review Process for Special Issues

If the Special Issue includes extended versions of previously published papers, the review process must ensure that all submissions adhere to the following criteria:

  • English language: The paper must be written in English, even if the original version is in another language.
  • New content: The paper must contain at least 30% of new content when compared to the original version.
  • Title and abstract: Both must differ from the original paper.
  • Independent reviewers: Each paper must be reviewed by at least two reviewers who did not review the original paper.
  • Citation: Explicit mention and citation of the original paper must be included, along with the complete reference.

Guest Editor Responsibilities

The Guest Editor will be responsible for managing the entire editorial process, including:

  • Setting and enforcing submission and review timelines.
  • Assigning at least two independent reviewers for each submitted paper.
  • Ensuring high-quality reviews are completed on time.
  • Making editorial decisions based on the reviews and preparing meta-reviews that justify those decisions.

JBCS Editorial Team Role

While the Guest Editors handle the submission and review processes, the JBCS editorial team will oversee the overall workflow and communicate decisions to authors. The editorial team ensures that the journal's standards and policies are maintained throughout the process.

Publication Process

Once a paper is accepted, the final publication process, including copyediting, is handled by the team responsible for managing the publication phase. The Guest Editors will work with this team to ensure a smooth transition from acceptance to publication.

Timeline for Special Issues

A realistic and efficient timeline for submissions and reviews is essential to ensure the Special Issue is published within a year. Deadlines are set by the Guest Editors, who are expected to manage the process to ensure timely completion.

Additional Guidance

For assistance with drafting a Call for Papers for a Special Issue, the JBCS editorial team is available to review and validate the proposal before distribution. This helps ensure the call aligns with the journal's objectives and standards.

For any further questions or support, contact the JBCS editorial team at jbcs@icomp.ufam.edu.br