POLICY ON COMMENTARIES, CRITIQUES, AND AUTHOR RESPONSES

POLICY ON COMMENTARIES, CRITIQUES, AND AUTHOR RESPONSES

This journal accepts scholarly commentaries, critiques, and author responses that provide informed perspectives or constructive challenges to previously published work. These submissions serve as a forum for academic debate, clarification, and the advancement of scientific discourse.

Scope and Eligibility

Submissions may include:

  • Constructive commentaries or critiques on articles previously published in this journal or, where appropriate, in other reputable outlets.
  • Responses by original article authors addressing critiques of their work.
  • Rejoinders by commentators responding to author replies.

Commentaries and critiques must be evidence-based, focused on scholarly discourse, and respectful in tone. The inclusion of primary research data in critiques is permitted, provided the data is relevant and ethically obtained.

Editorial and Review Process

  • All critiques and related submissions are first evaluated by the Editor for clarity, relevance, and scholarly value.
  • If the critique includes primary research data or raises complex technical issues, it will be peer reviewed by subject experts selected by the editorial team.
  • Authors of the original article will be given the opportunity to submit a response, which will undergo the same editorial and review standards.
  • A rejoinder may be permitted, subject to the same editorial and peer review standards (where applicable).

Process Flow Example

  1. Critique submitted on a published article → Editorial review → Peer review (if applicable).
  2. Original author invited to respond → Response undergoes editorial review and peer review (if applicable).
  3. Critique author may submit a rejoinder → Reviewed editorially and (if appropriate) via peer review.
  4. Simultaneous publication: If accepted, the critique, author response, and rejoinder may be published together to provide full context.
  5. Closure: Once this exchange is published, further correspondence on the same matter may not be considered for publication.

Ethical and Transparency Considerations

In accordance with recognized publication ethics guidance:

  • Original authors are notified and given the opportunity to respond prior to publication of a critique.
  • All parties are held to equal standards of scrutiny and editorial fairness.
  • If the original article appeared in another journal, appropriate notification and citation practices will be followed, and a note may be added to the critique where relevant.
  • If a critique identifies serious errors or omissions in a published article from this journal, the editorial team will assess whether a correction, retraction, or editorial note is warranted, in line with the journal’s Corrections and Retractions procedures.

Submission Requirements

  • Commentaries and critiques may be subject to word limits, typically 1000–2000 words, with up to 10 references and 1–2 tables or figures, depending on journal section guidelines.
  • Authors must clearly identify the article being addressed and the nature of their critique or contribution.
  • Submissions should include a cover letter stating the reason for submission, any conflicts of interest, and confirmation of ethical compliance if data is used.