Guest Editor Guidelines

Guest Editors play a key role in the editorial and peer-review process at the International Journal of Multi Studies (IJMS). In taking on this role, Guest Editors are expected to act with independence, fairness, confidentiality, and academic integrity at every stage of manuscript handling.

 

Editorial Independence and Impartiality

Every editorial decision should rest on the manuscript's academic merit its originality, relevance, and methodological rigor. Personal, professional, financial, or institutional interests should never factor into that judgment.

If a Guest Editor has a conflict of interest with a manuscript, they must disclose it and step back from handling that submission where appropriate.

 

Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest can arise from any relationship personal, professional, financial, academic, or institutional that might reasonably influence editorial judgment. Common examples include:

• A recent or ongoing collaboration with one of the authors
• A close personal or professional relationship with an author
• A direct supervisory or institutional connection
• An unresolved academic or professional dispute
• A financial or commercial stake in the manuscript's subject matter

When a conflict is identified, IJMS will reassign the manuscript to another qualified, independent editor.

 

Confidentiality

Everything encountered during the editorial process manuscripts, reviewer reports, correspondence is confidential. Guest Editors must not share this information with unauthorized parties or use it for personal, professional, financial, or competitive gain.

 

The Peer-Review Process

IJMS uses a structured double-blind peer-review process, with each manuscript typically evaluated by two or more independent reviewers with relevant expertise. Guest Editors are responsible for selecting appropriately qualified reviewers and ensuring the process runs fairly and confidentially, free from undue influence.

 

What Reviewers Assess

Manuscripts are evaluated, where applicable, on:

• Originality and contribution to the field
• Methodology and research design
• Validity of data, analysis, and conclusions
• Clarity and organization
• Quality and relevance of cited references
• Ethical compliance

 

Editorial Decisions

Based on reviewer feedback and the Guest Editor's overall assessment, a manuscript may receive one of the following recommendations:

• Accept
• Minor Revisions
• Major Revisions
• Reject

 

Authors asked to revise their work should receive clear guidance and a reasonable window to resubmit. Final authority over acceptance and publication always rests with the Editor-in-Chief or a designated senior editor.

 

Publication Ethics and Misconduct

Guest Editors are expected to safeguard research and publication integrity, and to flag any concerns including plagiarism, duplicate publication, data fabrication or falsification, authorship disputes, peer-review manipulation, undisclosed conflicts of interest, or improper AI use in line with IJMS policy. Depending on the situation, this may lead to rejection, correction, retraction, or other corrective action.

 

Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers are expected to:

• Keep all manuscript information confidential
• Give objective, constructive feedback
• Disclose any conflicts of interest
• Never use confidential review material for personal benefit
• Complete reviews within the agreed timeframe

 

Responsible Use of the Editorial System

Anyone using the IJMS submission and review platform must not manipulate the peer-review process, submit false reviewer information, access manuscripts without authorization, improperly share peer-review information, or otherwise interfere with editorial decisions or system operations.

 

Editorial Records

IJMS may retain editorial and peer-review records for legitimate purposes related to quality control, publication ethics, and recordkeeping, consistent with our Privacy Policy.