For authors

Prior to submission to jSEDI, the manuscript must be uploaded to one of our approved open repositories (currently arXiv, HAL, Zenodo). The pre-print should be a single document, double-spaced, contain line numbers (unless using arXiv, since it is not accepted on that repository), standard legible font no smaller than 11pt, and contain all text, figures, tables, supplements, data, and any other content that will be required for peer review. A LaTeX template is available here. It is also possible to get the template from the overleaf template collection, which allows authors to use the template online without installing LaTeX on their computer (just click on "open as template").

Authors may submit their pre-print for consideration to be published by jSEDI via the designated manuscript submission system (see Detailed Submission Instructions). The submission may be accompanied by a cover letter containing a brief summary of the work and including any particular requests from the authors to the Editorial Board. In particular, suggestions of potential reviewers and handling editor are welcome. Upon submission, authors are required to consent to the Author Agreement and declare originality of the manuscript, that the work is not simultaneously submitted to another publishing venue, that they possess sole ownership of copyright, and that all co-authors agree with the submission and the author order. Author contributions should be listed according to the Contributor Role Taxonomy (CRediT) system (https://credit.niso.org/). All requests pertaining to the manuscript handling process (peer review style, suggested reviewers, etc.) should be made at this initial stage. In the absence of any specific requests, the Editorial Board will manage the submitted manuscript according to its default options.

Because jSEDI is self-published under the volunteer efforts of our community, we kindly ask authors to make every effort to ensure that the manuscript is in a form that will help to enable the peer review process, as described above. In order to facilitate a smooth workflow, authors are strongly encouraged to use one of the jSEDI journal templates (see Journal Templates for details). Please note that all references should include a digital object identifier (DOI), which is also required before final acceptance of the manuscript for publication.

Our standard for deciding whether to handle a manuscript is rooted in the sustainability of our collective efforts. Specifically, the time and effort of our volunteer team (including reviewers) is precious and must be respected to ensure the journal’s long-term sustainability. Editors will only send papers for review after agreeing that the submitted manuscript is topical, original, of interest to our readership, and worthy of the effort that we request from our reviewers. Therefore, we may return manuscripts without review if the manuscript does not meet these criteria (in this case, the reason will be communicated to the authors).

A Handling Editor will be assigned to conduct the peer review process of a manuscript by the Managing Editor in consultation with the Editorial Board, emphasizing experience and expertise in the subject area of the submission. Authors may request a particular Handling Editor (see our editorial board for a detailed listing), however, we cannot guarantee that the requested Handling Editor will be available to manage the submission.

A minimum of 2 solicited reviewers will be assigned by the handling editor to examine each manuscript, chosen from experts in the subject area who are among the target audience of the manuscript. In the cover letter accompanying the submission, authors may suggest particular reviewers, and also persons they do not wish to review the manuscript. However, in making these suggestions the authors are encouraged to include a justification, and to state any conflicts of interest. We cannot guarantee that these suggestions will be followed by the Handling Editor, who will make an independent judgment regarding the final assignment of solicited reviewers. Depending on the peer-review option chosen by the authors, solicited reviewers may choose whether to remain anonymous or not. After publication of a paper, all reviews will be posted on the journal website (if the reviewer remains anonymous, their identity will not be revealed).

The purpose of peer review is to improve the scientific dialogue in a constructive spirit, to more clearly convey ideas and results accurately, thereby enhancing the general impact of the science. Reviewers are asked to assess the positive aspects of each manuscript, check for errors (logical, mathematical, analytical, conceptual, etc.) and where applicable to suggest ways to improve the presentation, citations, explication, conceptualization, robustness, and impact of the study. The Handling Editor will ask reviewers to offer a recommendation regarding the suitability of the manuscript for publication, and to clearly outline any issues they believe need to be addressed if it requires further work and/or revision.

Based on the reviews and their own assessment of the manuscript, the Handling Editor decides whether to (1) recommend publication of the manuscript in its present form, (2) solicit a revision from the authors outlining the particular aspects that require improvement, or (3) return the manuscript without solicitation of a revised manuscript. In case (2) the editor will set a timeline for submission of a revised version of the manuscript. If the revision is not received by the deadline, or an extended deadline is not requested by the authors, then the manuscript will revert to case (3).

A revised manuscript may be sent to the same solicited reviewers that reviewed the initial submission, who will be asked to assess whether the authors have addressed their prior concerns. In some cases, additional reviewer(s) may also be assigned to assess the revision, if it is deemed necessary by the Handling Editor. Alongside the revised manuscript, authors should include a fully quoted response to reviewers that addresses each comment raised in the initial review. In the interests of fairness and timely peer review, solicited reviewers are kindly asked to restrict their attention to matters that were previously raised, and avoid raising new issues that were not included in the original review.

Based on the reviews of the revised manuscript, the Handling Editor will make a decision regarding whether to (1) recommend publication of the revised manuscript in its present form, (2) solicit an additional revision from the authors outlining the particular aspects that require improvement, or (3) return the manuscript without solicitation of another revised manuscript. In case (2) the process will revert to the “Review of Revised Manuscript” step above. The editor will set a timeline for submission of a revised version of the manuscript. If the revision is not received by the deadline, or an extended deadline is not requested by the authors, then the manuscript will revert to case (3).

Following peer review, the Handling Editor may recommend a manuscript for publication or may reject the manuscript. The entire contents of all submitted materials and any other other communications/exchanges between authors, editors, and/or reviewers to any other party will be available to the full Editorial Board for final acceptance.

Before publication on the journal website, the authors must consent to all of the legal terms and policies of the journal.

The authors are in principle responsible for copy-editing, including grammar/spelling check, proper formatting/pagination, inclusion of publication quality figures, and other technical requirements. In order to assist authors in this task, jSEDI has provided journal templates in both Latex and MS Word formats, and strongly encourages authors to use these. A manuscript will not be published until the Technical Editor(s) have certified that it meets the jSEDI standards.

The published manuscript will be listed and linked on the journal website. Solicited peer reviews will be published on the journal website along with the published manuscript, with credit to reviewers (unless they opt to remain anonymous).

The authors will have an opportunity to withdraw their manuscript at any time, if requested. After withdrawal, jSEDI will cease all work related to the manuscript. A copy of the submitted files will be kept only for our internal records and to satisfy any legal requirements.