Editorial Support

The publisher’s role does not end with managing manuscript submissions or coordinating peer review. A significant part of our responsibility lies in ensuring that every participant in the publication ecosystem, authors, reviewers, and editors, receives the guidance, resources, and support necessary to uphold the standards of academic publishing.  SEM recognizes that strong editorial support is fundamental to both the quality of scholarship and the efficiency of the publication process. Our support framework is designed to be comprehensive, proactive, and responsive, ensuring that contributors at all levels can engage with the journal in a professional, fair, and constructive manner.

  1. Support for Authors

Authors are the foundation of academic publishing, and SEM is committed to guiding them at every stage, from initial submission to final publication. Our support system is designed not only to facilitate a smooth process but also to enhance the clarity, visibility, and ethical integrity of published work.

Submission guidance

  • Detailed author guidelines provide formatting instructions, sample templates, and examples of acceptable manuscript structures.
  • Policy documents clearly explain requirements for data sharing, AI tool disclosure, conflict-of-interest declarations, and funding acknowledgments.
  • An online submission portal ensures that all required files are uploaded correctly, with automatic checks to reduce administrative errors.

Technical and production support

  • Authors have access to step-by-step instructions for uploading manuscripts, supplementary materials, figures, and data packages.
  • For complex submissions (e.g., large datasets or simulation code), the editorial office offers direct technical assistance.
  • During production, copyeditors and proofreaders collaborate with authors to resolve formatting and style issues without altering the scientific meaning.

Language and clarity

  • Recognizing the global nature of SEM research, the publisher offers referrals to professional language-editing services for non-native English speakers.
  • Authors are also encouraged to use plain-language summaries for broader accessibility, and guidance is provided on how to prepare them.

Ongoing communication

  • Automated notifications keep authors informed of the status of their submission at every stage.
  • Editors are encouraged to provide clear and constructive decision letters, ensuring that even rejected manuscripts benefit from useful feedback.

Through these measures, SEM ensures that authors not only publish but also learn and grow as scholars through the editorial process.

  1. Support for Editors

Editors play a central role in balancing fairness, efficiency, and quality. The publisher therefore provides extensive support to editors to ensure that their work is manageable, ethical, and consistent with international best practices.

Training and resources

  • Editors receive regular training on COPE guidelines, conflict-of-interest management, and handling cases of plagiarism, misconduct, or ethical violations.
  • Methodological editors are supported with access to statistical consultants when manuscripts involve particularly complex or controversial SEM approaches.

Administrative support

  • The editorial office manages routine correspondence with authors and reviewers, allowing editors to focus on academic evaluation rather than clerical tasks.
  • A manuscript tracking system provides real-time updates, helping editors monitor reviewer assignments, deadlines, and decisions.
  • Dedicated staff assist in formatting decision letters, managing revision cycles, and ensuring smooth communication.

Ethics and dispute resolution

  • Editors are supported by the publisher when addressing difficult ethical cases, such as disputes over authorship, allegations of misconduct, or appeals against decisions.
  • A formal escalation path ensures that editors are not left to handle such cases alone; they can seek guidance from senior editorial board members or the publisher’s ethics committee.

Community building

  • Editors are encouraged to participate in annual editorial board meetings, where they can exchange experiences, discuss new policies, and suggest improvements.
  • Training sessions are offered on new developments in scholarly publishing, such as open science practices, AI policy, and diversity in authorship and reviewing.

With these layers of support, editors are empowered to act as both gatekeepers of quality and facilitators of scholarly exchange, confident that they have the necessary resources to fulfill their role responsibly.