How do special issues work? - acm-toce/documentation GitHub Wiki

Special issues are a way that TOCE brings attention to new research areas and topics. All special issues for the journals are guest edited by one or more editors other than the Editor-in-Chief (EiC), but all articles still go through a normal review process, and are ultimately approved by the EiC.

Are you interested in proposing a special issue?

  • First, verify that your topic is in the journal's scope. The EiC receives many proposals that concern applications of computing technology to learning and teaching, but not in any way that concerns the teaching and learning of computing.
  • If your topic is in scope, write the EiC with a short <1 page proposal describing 1) the focus of the proposed special, 2) other proposed content for the special issue beyond research articles, 3) an overview of your proposed research process, 4) the timeline for key milestones of your review process, and 5) your qualifications for guest editing the special issue. For guidance, refer to this exemplary proposal by Josh Tenenburg and Lauri Malmi.
  • The EiC will consider your proposal, including its relevance to the journal scope, the broader computing education research community, and the journal's capacity for overseeing special issues during the proposed timeline.
  • The EiC will forward your name to Jen Wagner ([email protected]) who works with ACM Journals to check for fraudulent guest editor requests. (There are unfortunately my bad actors that impersonate scholars).

If your proposal is approved:

  1. ACM staff will set up an account in Manuscript Central for processing the special issue submissions.
  2. Finalize your call-for-papers, which will be posted on the ACM TOCE website. Guest editors are responsible for circulating it, though the journal will also help.
  3. After your deadline, run your review process through Manuscript Central, recruiting reviewers and making recommendations to the EiC. Many special issues rely on the authors of submissions to review to ensure reviewing capacity.
  4. Work with the EiC and ACM staff to finalize your special issue for publication, including any introductions or other items for inclusion in the issue. The EiC will review and approve this.
  5. Work with the EiC to share and publicize your special issue.

This whole process can take a year or more depending on how much advance notice authors receive about the call, how long the review process runs, and how much time is given for revisions.