Publication Types

At iConclusions, we offer a diverse range of publication types to accommodate different research needs and formats. Whether you are submitting a full-length research article, a review, or a special issue, we provide various options to ensure your work reaches the appropriate audience effectively.

1. Research Articles

a. Full-Length Research Articles

• Description: Detailed reports of original research, including objectives, methods, results, and conclusions. These articles typically undergo rigorous peer review and contribute significant new knowledge to the field.
• Length: Generally between 4,000 and 8,000 words, depending on the journal’s guidelines.

b. Short Communications

• Description: Concise reports of preliminary or significant findings that are of immediate interest to the research community. These articles are often shorter than full-length research articles.
• Length: Typically between 1,500 and 3,000 words.

2. Review Articles

a. Comprehensive Reviews

• Description: In-depth surveys of a particular research topic, synthesizing existing literature and providing a critical analysis of current knowledge. These articles offer valuable insights and directions for future research.
• Length: Generally between 6,000 and 12,000 words.

b. Systematic Reviews

• Description: Structured reviews that follow a systematic methodology to identify, evaluate, and synthesize research on a specific question or topic. These reviews often include meta-analyses.
• Length: Typically between 5,000 and 10,000 words.

c. Meta-Analyses

• Description: Statistical analyses that combine data from multiple studies to draw more robust conclusions about a research question. Meta-analyses are often a component of systematic reviews.
• Length: Generally between 4,000 and 8,000 words.

3. Special Issues

a. Edited Special Issues

• Description: Collections of articles focused on a specific research theme or emerging topic, edited by guest editors with expertise in the area. Special issues may include original research, reviews, and other relevant contributions.
• Length: Varies based on the number of articles and the scope of the issue.

b. Conference Proceedings

• Description: Papers presented at academic conferences, often including summaries of research findings and discussions from the event. These proceedings provide a platform for disseminating conference contributions to a broader audience.
• Length: Typically between 2,000 and 5,000 words per paper.

4. Technical Notes

a. Technical Reports

• Description: Detailed reports on specific technical or methodological aspects of research. These may include novel techniques, improvements to existing methods, or practical applications.
• Length: Generally between 3,000 and 6,000 words.

b. Methodological Papers

• Description: Articles focusing on the development or evaluation of research methods, including new methodologies or enhancements to existing techniques.
• Length: Typically between 3,000 and 5,000 words.

5. Commentaries and Perspectives

a. Commentaries

• Description: Short articles providing opinions or reflections on recent research findings, trends, or developments in a particular field. Commentaries often offer a critical perspective or contextualize new discoveries.
• Length: Generally between 1,000 and 2,000 words.

b. Perspectives

• Description: Articles that offer insights or future directions on a specific research topic or field, based on the author’s expertise and experience. Perspectives may address emerging trends or highlight key issues.
• Length: Typically between 2,000 and 4,000 words.

6. Case Studies

a. Research Case Studies

• Description: Detailed examinations of individual or unique cases that provide insights into specific phenomena or practical applications. These studies often illustrate real-world implications of research findings.
• Length: Generally between 3,000 and 6,000 words.

b. Clinical Case Studies

• Description: Reports on clinical cases or patient experiences, often including observations and insights relevant to medical or healthcare research.
• Length: Typically between 2,000 and 4,000 words.

7. Editorials and Announcements

a. Editorials

• Description: Articles written by journal editors or invited experts, offering perspectives on current research, journal policies, or significant developments in the field.
• Length: Generally between 1,000 and 2,000 words.

b. Announcements

• Description: Short communications regarding important updates, events, or other relevant information related to the journal or the field of study.
• Length: Typically between 500 and 1,000 words.

The iConclusions Editorial Process

1. Manuscript Submission

• Online Submission System: Authors submit their manuscripts through our user-friendly online submission system. This system manages the entire submission process, allowing authors to track the status of their manuscript in real time.
• Initial Screening: Upon submission, each manuscript undergoes an initial screening by the editorial team. This step checks for adherence to the journal’s scope, formatting guidelines, and basic quality standards.

2. Preliminary Assessment

• Editor Assignment: The manuscript is assigned to a handling editor, who is an expert in the relevant field. The handling editor conducts a preliminary assessment to determine if the manuscript is suitable for peer review.
• Desk Rejection: If the manuscript does not meet the journal’s standards or falls outside its scope, it may be rejected at this stage. Authors are provided with feedback explaining the decision.

3. Peer Review Process

• Selection of Reviewers: Manuscripts that pass the preliminary assessment are sent to expert reviewers for evaluation. We follow a single-blind peer review process, ensuring that the reviewers remain anonymous.
• Review Criteria: Reviewers assess the manuscript based on its originality, methodology, significance, clarity, and contribution to the field. Reviewers also check for ethical compliance and scientific validity.
• Reviewer Reports: Reviewers provide detailed reports with their recommendations, which may include acceptance, minor revisions, major revisions, or rejection.
• Revision Process: If revisions are required, the authors are given the opportunity to address the reviewers’ comments and resubmit their manuscript. The revised manuscript may undergo further rounds of review.

4. Editorial Decision

• Editorial Evaluation: The handling editor reviews the reviewers’ reports and the authors’ responses. Based on this evaluation, the editor makes a recommendation to the journal’s editor-in-chief.
• Final Decision: The final decision on whether to accept, reject, or request further revisions is made by the editor-in-chief. Authors are notified of the decision along with any additional feedback or instructions.

5. Production and Publication

• Copyediting: Accepted manuscripts undergo professional copyediting to ensure clarity, coherence, and adherence to the journal’s style guide. This step also includes checks for grammatical accuracy and formatting consistency.
• Proofreading: Authors receive proofs of their manuscript for final review. This is the last opportunity to make minor corrections before publication.
• Typesetting and Formatting: The manuscript is typeset and formatted for publication, ensuring a professional presentation in both print and digital formats.
• Online Publication: Once the final version is approved, the manuscript is published online as part of the journal’s current issue or as an advance online publication.

6. Post-Publication

• Open Access: All articles published with iConclusions are available open access, ensuring that research is freely accessible to the global academic community.
• Indexing and Archiving: Published articles are indexed in major academic databases and permanently archived to ensure long-term accessibility and citation.
• Promotion and Dissemination: iConclusions actively promotes published research through social media, newsletters, and collaborations with academic institutions. Authors are also encouraged to share their work within their networks to maximize its impact.

7. Ethical Standards and Integrity

• Ethical Compliance: iConclusions adheres to strict ethical guidelines throughout the editorial process. We are committed to preventing plagiarism, ensuring proper authorship attribution, and upholding the highest standards of research integrity.
• Conflict of Interest: Editors and reviewers are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest. We have clear procedures in place to manage conflicts and ensure that the editorial process is fair and unbiased.

8. Appeals and Complaints

• Appeals Process: Authors who disagree with the editorial decision may appeal by providing a detailed explanation of their concerns. Appeals are carefully reviewed by the editorial board, and a final decision is made based on the merits of the appeal.
• Complaints Handling: iConclusions takes complaints seriously and has established procedures to address any concerns raised by authors, reviewers, or readers. Our goal is to resolve issues promptly and fairly.

Advantages of Open Access for Authors

1. Increased Visibility and Accessibility

• Wider Audience: Open access articles are freely available to anyone with an internet connection, enabling researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and the general public worldwide to access and benefit from your work.
• Higher Readership: With no paywalls, your research is more likely to be read by a broader audience, including those who may not have access to subscription-based journals.

2. Enhanced Citation Impact

• Greater Citations: Studies have shown that open access articles tend to receive more citations than those behind paywalls. The increased visibility and accessibility contribute to higher citation rates, which can boost your research impact.
• Long-Term Discoverability: Open access ensures your work remains accessible and discoverable in the long term, contributing to sustained citations over time.

3. Global Collaboration Opportunities

• Cross-Border Collaboration: By making your research openly accessible, you facilitate collaboration with researchers and institutions around the world, fostering interdisciplinary and international partnerships.
• Increased Engagement: Open access allows scholars from diverse fields and regions to engage with your work, providing opportunities for feedback, discussion, and potential collaboration.

4. Author Rights and Control

• Retain Copyright: In most open access models, authors retain the copyright to their work, allowing them to control how their research is shared and reused.

• Creative Commons Licensing: With open access, authors can choose from a range of Creative Commons licenses, granting others the right to share and adapt their work while ensuring proper attribution.

5. Compliance with Funding Requirements

• Funder Mandates: Many research funders, including government agencies and private foundations, require the results of funded research to be openly accessible. Publishing in an open access journal helps authors comply with these mandates.
• Increased Funding Opportunities: Compliance with open access requirements can enhance eligibility for future research funding, as many funders favor or require open access publication.

6. Faster Dissemination

• Rapid Sharing: Open access journals often offer faster publication times, allowing your research to be disseminated more quickly to the academic community and beyond.
• Immediate Impact: The quicker your research is published and accessible, the sooner it can begin to make an impact in your field and be used by others.

7. Public Engagement and Societal Impact

• Broader Impact: Open access allows your research to reach a non-academic audience, including policymakers, educators, industry professionals, and the general public, enhancing the societal impact of your work.
• Knowledge Transfer: By making your findings freely available, you contribute to the public understanding of science and technology, promoting informed decision-making and innovation.

8. Ethical Responsibility

• Equity in Access: Open access supports the principle that knowledge should be freely available to all, helping to bridge the gap between well-funded institutions and those in resource-limited settings.
• Contribution to Global Knowledge: By choosing open access, you contribute to a more equitable and inclusive academic publishing system, where research can be shared and built upon by everyone, regardless of financial constraints.