Proposed Special Issue

Submit a focused proposal that advances ENT science and clinical practice.

Special issues highlight emerging topics and focused themes in otolaryngology. They attract targeted submissions, build research communities, and provide readers with curated evidence on high impact ENT topics.

JOA welcomes proposals from established researchers and clinical leaders who can curate a coherent, high quality collection.

A strong proposal defines the scope, identifies expected topics, and demonstrates the clinical or scientific need for the collection.

• Proposed title and thematic focus
• Rationale and relevance to otolaryngology practice
• Proposed guest editors with short bios
• Draft timeline and target publication window
• Suggested topic areas and potential contributors

• Clarity and focus of the theme
• Scientific and clinical relevance
• Feasibility of recruiting quality submissions
• Experience of the guest editor team
• Alignment with JOA scope and priorities

Guest editors help shape the scope, identify reviewers, and ensure high quality submissions. The editorial office provides workflow support and final decision oversight.

Guest editors must follow journal ethics policies and manage conflicts of interest responsibly.

Special issues typically run on a 6 to 9 month timeline from proposal approval to final publication. JOA supports milestone tracking, reviewer coordination, and production planning.

Rolling submissions are accepted until the collection is complete.

Special issues receive focused promotion through journal communications, topic collections, and partner networks. This improves visibility for contributing authors and highlights the guest editor team.

• Clear theme aligned to ENT clinical priorities
• Guest editor list and contact information
• Submission timeline and expected volume
• Plan for outreach to potential contributors

Send your proposal to [email protected] with the subject line JOA Special Issue Proposal. The editorial office will acknowledge receipt and coordinate next steps.

Submissions move through initial screening, peer review, revision, and production. Each stage includes quality checks to ensure ethical compliance and accurate reporting.

JOA aims to deliver decisions within the 2 to 4 week review window, depending on reviewer availability and manuscript complexity. Prompt author responses help keep timelines on track.

After acceptance, articles proceed to copyediting, proof review, and DOI registration before publication.

• Initial screening for scope and ethics
• Single blind peer review by experts
• Revision cycle based on reviewer input
• Production with copyediting and proofs
• Publication after final approval

The editorial office supports authors with scope checks, formatting guidance, and policy clarifications before and after submission. Early communication prevents delays and ensures manuscripts meet ENT expectations, including data statements, ethics approvals, and reporting standards.

Authors receive clear decision letters and may request clarification on reviewer feedback or revision priorities. The team can also advise on file preparation, figure requirements, and how to present clinical outcomes for readability.

For workflow questions or guidance on special issues, contact [email protected] and include the manuscript title and journal name.

• Scope check support before submission
• Guidance on reporting standards
• Help with data availability statements
• Clarification on revision expectations
• Support during proof review

Open access publishing increases the reach of otolaryngology research across clinical, academic, and allied health communities. Articles are immediately accessible to clinicians, trainees, and policy teams who rely on current evidence.

JOA supports DOI registration, metadata quality checks, and indexing readiness to improve discoverability and citation tracking. Clear titles and structured abstracts strengthen search visibility.

Authors can increase impact by sharing DOI links, depositing datasets, and communicating findings through professional networks.

• DOI registration for permanent access
• Metadata validation for indexing
• Open access for global readership
• Support for institutional reporting
• Guidance on sharing published work

JOA emphasizes transparent methods and reproducible reporting. Manuscripts should clearly describe study design, cohort selection, intervention protocols, and outcome definitions so reviewers can assess clinical relevance and rigor.

We encourage authors to document analytic decisions, device specifications, and follow up intervals. Clear reporting strengthens evidence quality and helps clinicians apply findings in practice.

Using structured reporting standards improves peer review efficiency and supports long term reuse of ENT evidence.

• Use CONSORT, STROBE, or PRISMA
• Report adverse events and limitations
• Define primary and secondary outcomes
• Document follow up duration
• Provide transparent data statements