Guest Editor System & Special Column Solicitation Guidelines for Anhui Medical Journal

To attract high-quality manuscripts and enhance our academic quality and impact, Anhui Medical Journal launches the guest editor program. Guest editors will be selected via invitation, recommendation or self-application. They take charge of topic planning, targeted manuscript solicitation, and organize special issues focusing on hot-button clinical issues.

Meanwhile, to standardize guest editors’ work with clear prior agreements and rules, the journal formulates this guest editor management system to standardize operations, clarify the rights and responsibilities of guest editors, and support the sustainable publication of themed special issues.

I. Basic Principles of the Guest Editor (GE)

The Special Issue is lead by the Guest Editor(s) with the full support and oversight of the journal’s editorial office.

II. Eligibility Criteria for GE

1.      Professional Title: A senior academic title (e.g., Professor) and be affiliated with a provincial Grade A Tertiary Hospital.

2.      Academic Achievements: A strong publication record with demonstrable influence  in the proposed field.

3.      Vision & Commitment: A clear vision for the topic, access to a network of potential authors, and a genuine interest in advancing the mission of Anhui Medical Journal.

III. Rights and Privileges of GE

1.      Team Building: The lead GE may invite 1–3 experts to form a Guest Editorial Team for topic discussion, manuscript solicitation and cross-party communication. Team members shall hold at least Associate Senior Professional Titles or doctoral degrees. It is recommended to build a diverse team of renowned senior scholars, early-career researchers, and experts from various institutions, including those outside the province.

2.      Visibility & Promotion: The profiles of the Guest Editorial Team will be featured in the journal and promoted across our official platforms to highlight their expertise and contribution.

IV. Responsibilities of GE

1.      Commissioning Content: Invite and secure high-quality manuscript submissions from leading researchers in the field.

2.      Preliminary screening: Conduct a pre-review of all submitted manuscripts to ensure they meet the scope and quality standards before formally submitting them to the journal’s peer-review system. 

3.      Writing the Editorial: Author a “Guest Editorial” to introduce the Special Issue, outlining its theme, significance, and the key insights presented in the collection.  

V. Proposal and Review Process

1.      Submission: The lead GE submits a completed Special Issue Proposal Form of Anhui Medical Journal.

2.      Evaluation: The proposal undergoes a multi-stage review: Initial assessment by the  editorial office; Discussion and approval by the journal’s Editorial Board.

3.      Appointment: Upon approval, an official Letter of Invitation is issued, formalizing the collaboration.

VI. Guidelines for the Special Issue

1.      Theme: The collection shall center on a timely and critical clinical topic of high interest to our readership. Proposals on non-priority themes may be considered as regular unsolicited submissions.

Content: Each Special Issue should contain 3 to 5 articles. It must include one authoritative Review or Commentary by a distinguished scholar that sets the tone for the collection.

2.      Funding: Manuscripts are strongly preferred to be supported by provincial or national-level research grants.

3.      Author Diversity: Contributions should be diverse. No more than two manuscripts may come from the Guest Editor’s home institution; Inclusion of articles from other provinces is highly encouraged.

4.      Peer Review: All submissions are subject to the journal’s standard, rigorous peer-review process (three-round review and proofreading). Manuscripts failing review will be rejected.

5.      Fees & Remuneration: No article processing charges (APCs) or submission fees are required for Special Issues. The journal provides an honorarium to authors upon publication. A separate allowance for manuscript commissioning will be provided to the Guest Editor(s) as per a separate agreement.

Editorial Office of Anhui Medical Journal

Brief Information Form for Special Issue of Anhui Medical Journal

Notes

1.      Each special issue shall address a critical, timely clinical theme. Submissions lacking innovative themes will be treated as unsolicited regular manuscripts.

2.      Other team members shall hold an associate senior professional title or a doctoral degree. It is recommended to form a diverse team including a mix of senior and early-career scholars from various institutions.

3.      Guest Editors are responsible for the initial quality control of all commissioned manuscripts.