FAQs

I. Authors

What is a Creative Commons license?

Creative Commons licenses provide a standardised framework that enables individuals and organisations to grant permission for others to use their creative work while retaining certain copyright protections.

These licenses facilitate sharing, collaboration, and reuse of creative content within the boundaries of copyright law. There are different types of Creative Commons licenses:

• CC BY

• CC BY-SA

• CC BY-NC

• CC BY-NC-SA

• CC BY-ND

• CC BY-NC-ND

For details regarding Creative Commons license terms, please visit: https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/cclicenses/

Which Creative Commons license is used by Scifiniti Publishing?

All Scifiniti Publishing journals publish articles under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This license allows users to freely share, distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon published content in any medium or format, provided that appropriate credit is given to the original authors and copyright holder.

Does Scifiniti Publishing have journal homepages on ResearchGate?

Yes. Scifiniti Publishing has partnered with ResearchGate to enhance the visibility, accessibility, and dissemination of its journals and published research. Through ResearchGate’s Journal Home feature, each Scifiniti journal has a dedicated Journal Home page where researchers can discover the journal and access its published articles.

The Journal Home page also provides a platform for researchers to discover journal content and engage with published research. Published articles are linked to the relevant journal and can also be connected with authors’ ResearchGate profiles, supporting wider dissemination and visibility of the research.

What are the Article Processing Charges for publishing articles in Scifiniti?

Currently, Scifiniti Publishing does not charge Article Processing Charges (APCs). All publications are free of charge.

If APCs are introduced in the future, journal-specific APC rates will be announced in advance and will apply only to new submissions. The APC policy details are available on the respective journal websites.

How do authors submit a manuscript to Scifiniti Publishing?

Authors can submit manuscripts online by registering with the submission system: https://scifiniti.jams.pub/user/register

All manuscripts must be submitted through the online submission system. Email submissions are not accepted.

The online system also allows authors to track the progress of their manuscript throughout the editorial process.

What is the process for reproducing content published in Scifiniti Publishing journals?

Most content published in Scifiniti Publishing journals is licensed under CC BY 4.0 and may be reproduced, shared, or adapted without separate permission, provided appropriate attribution is given. However, third-party material identified by a separate copyright notice or credit line may require permission from the relevant copyright holder.

However, appropriate attribution must always be provided by citing the original article as the source.

Can authors use AI tools during manuscript preparation?

Yes, AI tools may be used within certain limits.

Authors may use AI tools for tasks such as:

• Language improvement.

• Grammar and spelling correction.

• Improving readability and organisation of content.

However:

• AI tools cannot be listed as authors.

• Authors must disclose the use of AI assistance where applicable.

• Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, integrity, originality, and ethical compliance of all AI-assisted content, including AI-generated images.

For details, please refer to: https://www.scifiniti.com/editorial-policies#3. AI Policy

Who qualifies as an author on a manuscript?

Scifiniti Publishing follows the four authorship criteria established by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE):

• Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work

• Drafting the manuscript or critically revising it for important intellectual content.

• Final approval of the version to be published.

• Accountability for all aspects of the work, ensuring that questions related to accuracy or integrity are appropriately investigated and resolved.

All four criteria must be fulfilled to qualify as an author.

Contributions such as funding acquisition, general supervision, administrative support, or proofreading alone do not qualify for authorship and should instead be acknowledged.

For more details, please visit: ethical-oversight#1. Authorship

What is the difference between a corresponding author and a co-author, and how are changes to the author list handled?

The corresponding author is the primary point of contact with the Editorial Office throughout submission, peer review, and after publication, including requests for corrections or clarifications. A co-author is anyone who makes a substantial contribution to the work and meets all four ICMJE authorship criteria; all co-authors share accountability for the integrity of the published work.

Any change to the author list — addition, removal, or reordering, whether before or after publication — requires the written consent of all listed authors (including anyone being added or removed), an updated copyright statement, and, where relevant, a statement of the added author's contribution or the reason for removal. Scifiniti Publishing follows COPE's recommended protocols for handling these requests and reserves the right to accept or reject a modification based on the evidence provided.

For details, please refer to: ethical-oversight#1. Authorship

How long does the revision process usually take?

Minor revisions are generally expected within 7–10 days (maximum 21 days).

Major revisions are normally expected within 14–21 days (maximum 45 days).

Authors may request an extension before the revision deadline.

Typically, a manuscript will undergo no more than two rounds of revision.

How can authors appeal a manuscript rejection?

Authors may submit an appeal by contacting the Editorial Office within 30 days of the rejection decision.

The appeal should include a detailed, point-by-point response addressing the reviewers' and/or editor's comments and explaining the reasons for reconsideration.

Appeals are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or, in cases involving a conflict of interest, by an independent senior editorial board member.

Only one appeal is permitted per editorial decision, and the outcome of the appeal is final.

For details, please refer to: editorial-policies#7. Complaints and Appeals

Can a rejected manuscript be transferred to another Scifiniti Publishing journal instead of resubmitted?

Yes, in some cases. If a manuscript is found unsuitable primarily because it falls outside a journal's scope rather than for quality reasons, it may be referred to another Scifiniti Publishing journal with a closer scope match. This is subject to the mutual agreement of the author and the Editor-in-Chief of the receiving journal.

What happens if an error is identified in a published article?

Depending on the nature and severity of the issue, Scifiniti Publishing may issue:

• An erratum (for publisher-related errors).

• A corrigendum (for author-related errors).

• An article withdrawal (for compelling, integrity-related reasons identified after acceptance or before publication at the author's request).

• An Editor's Note.

• An Editorial Expression of Concern.

• A retraction in serious cases.

All post-publication corrections are handled in accordance with COPE guidelines and are linked to the original article through its DOI.

For details, please refer to: editorial-policies#8. Post-Publication Corrections

Do authors need ethical approval for research involving humans, animals, plants, or cell lines?

Yes.

Research involving human participants must comply with the Declaration of Helsinki and include details of approval from an appropriate ethics committee.

Animal research must comply with relevant ethical standards, including the principles of the 3Rs and applicable reporting guidelines such as ARRIVE.

Plant research should follow relevant international guidance, including recommendations from organisations such as IUCN, CBD, and CITES where applicable.

Research involving cell lines should provide information regarding the source of cell lines and any relevant ethical approvals or permissions.

Do authors need consent to publish identifiable patient images or details?

Written informed consent is required from the individual concerned before publishing identifiable patient information or images.

For individuals under 18 years of age, consent must be obtained from a parent or legal guardian. For deceased individuals, consent should be obtained from the next of kin where required.

Fully anonymised images, such as non-identifiable X-rays or clinical images, generally do not require consent.

Are authors required to share their underlying research data?

All research articles must include a Data Availability Statement indicating whether the underlying data are:

• Publicly available.

• Available upon reasonable request.

• Included as supplementary material.

• Not applicable.

For details, please refer to: ethical-oversight#13. Data Sharing & Reproducibility

Can authors submit a manuscript that overlaps with a preprint, thesis, or conference paper?

Yes, under certain conditions. A preprint version is acceptable as long as it remains a preliminary version that has not itself been published in a peer-reviewed journal; the preprint and, where available, its DOI must be disclosed. Work drawn from a thesis or dissertation is acceptable if clearly acknowledged, with a link to the thesis where publicly available. A manuscript based on a conference paper is acceptable only if it has been substantially extended (additional data, expanded analysis, or significant revisions), with the original conference paper cited and permission confirmed from the conference organiser or publisher.

What is not permitted is simultaneous submission of the same manuscript to more than one journal at a time, or redundant/duplicate publication of the same or substantially similar work without disclosure. Substantial reuse of an author's own previously published text without citation (self-plagiarism/text recycling) is also not permitted, though minor overlap in methods or background sections may be acceptable if clearly referenced.

For details, please refer to: ethical-oversight#4. Redundant Publication

What counts as a conflict of interest for authors, and how should it be disclosed?

Authors are strongly recommended to disclose any potential conflict of interest in a dedicated "Conflicts of Interest" section of the manuscript. Financial conflicts include things like employment or consulting arrangements, research grants, honoraria or lecture fees, patents, stock ownership, and travel support connected to the work. Non-financial conflicts include personal, political, religious, ideological, or academic interests, and involvement in related legal proceedings.

For details, please refer to: ethical-oversight#7. Conflicts of Interest

Are there restrictions on how author images and figures may be edited?

Yes. Image files should remain unaltered except for minor adjustments to brightness, contrast, or colour balance that improve visibility without obscuring, enhancing, or removing any underlying data. Combining images that should be shown separately (for example, different parts of a gel) without disclosure is not permitted, and any third-party images must be properly credited with permission obtained where required. If undeclared or inappropriate image editing is suspected, authors may be asked to provide the original, unprocessed files, and confirmed cases can lead to correction, an expression of concern, or retraction.

For details, please refer to: ethical-oversight#5. Image Manipulation

What types of articles can authors submit to Scifiniti Publishing?

Each journal has its own specific requirements and may accept different article types depending on its scope and editorial policies. However, the following article types are commonly published across Scifiniti Publishing journals:

• Research Articles.

• Review Articles (Mini and Full-Length).

• Systematic Reviews.

• Editorials.

• Commentaries.

• Perspectives.

For journal-specific requirements, please refer to the relevant journal website and consult the Instructions for Authors section under "Types of Publications."

Will an article remain freely accessible without a subscription?

Yes.

All articles are published under Gold Open Access with a CC BY 4.0 license and are immediately available worldwide without subscription fees or embargo periods.

Authors retain copyright of their published work. For details, please refer to editorial-policies#4. Open Access Policy

How does Scifiniti Publishing ensure long-term archiving and preservation of published articles?

Scifiniti Publishing is committed to ensuring the long-term accessibility and preservation of published content. All published articles are assigned permanent Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) and are archived through recognised digital preservation services and relevant indexing platforms where applicable.

Published articles remain permanently accessible through the journal website, and appropriate preservation measures are implemented to safeguard the scholarly record and ensure continued availability for future researchers.

In particular, Scifiniti Publishing has joined Portico, a trusted long-term digital preservation service, ensuring published content remains securely archived and accessible even in the event of future access issues. Authors are also free to self-archive both the accepted manuscript and the final published version on personal websites, institutional repositories, or other open-access platforms, with no embargo period.

For further details, please refer to: editorial-policies#6. Archiving Policy

Who retains copyright of articles published by Scifiniti Publishing?

Authors retain copyright of their published work.

All articles published by Scifiniti Publishing are released under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This allows others to share, reuse, adapt, and distribute the published content provided that appropriate credit is given to the original authors and source.

Authors grant Scifiniti Publishing the necessary rights to publish, distribute, and promote the article while retaining ownership of their copyright.

For further details, please refer to: editorial-policies#5. Copyright and Licensing

How can an author become a guest editor for a special issue?

Interested researchers may propose a special issue by contacting the Editorial Office directly by email at info@scifiniti.com.

Guest editors are required to complete the special issue proposal template. All proposals are evaluated by the Editor-in-Chief based on the applicant's qualifications, research expertise, relevance of the proposed topic, and potential contribution to the journal.

A special issue may include up to five guest editors. Standard special issues generally contain 10–12 manuscripts, while smaller mini-thematic issues consisting of 3–5 high-quality manuscripts may also be considered.

For further details, please refer to the Special Issue Guidelines at the link below: https://www.scifiniti.com/special-issue-guidelines

II. Reviewers

What is the role of a peer reviewer?

Peer reviewers play a critical role in maintaining the quality, integrity, and credibility of scholarly publishing.

Their role is to provide an independent, objective, and constructive evaluation of manuscripts by assessing the scientific quality, originality, methodology, clarity, ethical compliance, and overall contribution of the research.

Who can become a reviewer for Scifiniti Publishing?

Reviewers are expected to have relevant expertise in the subject area and should generally meet the following criteria:

• Hold a current academic or industry affiliation.

• Possess a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent), where applicable.

• Demonstrate expertise through peer-reviewed publications or relevant professional experience.

• Have prior reviewing or editorial experience (preferred but not mandatory).

• Have no conflicts of interest with the authors, institutions, or content of the manuscript.

• Commit to providing objective, confidential, and timely reviews.

How to register as a reviewer?

Researchers interested in becoming reviewers can register by completing the Reviewer Registration Form at https://www.scifiniti.com/become-a-reviewer

Submitted profiles are evaluated by the Editorial Office based on expertise, qualifications, publication record, and relevance to the journal's scope.

Approved reviewers may be invited to review manuscripts within their area of expertise.

What peer review model does Scifiniti Publishing follow?

Scifiniti Publishing follows a single-blind peer review model.

Reviewers are aware of the authors' identities; however, reviewers' identities remain confidential and are not disclosed to authors during or after the review process.

How are reviewers selected for a manuscript?

Reviewers are selected based on:

• Subject expertise.

• Research experience.

• Publication record.

• Absence of conflicts of interest.

The Editorial Office may select reviewers from the Editorial Board, Reviewer Panel, or the wider scientific community to ensure an independent and balanced evaluation.

Can authors recommend reviewers?

Yes. Authors may suggest potential reviewers during submission. However, recommended reviewers are not automatically assigned to manuscripts.

All suggested reviewers undergo evaluation by the Editorial Office to confirm their suitability, expertise, and independence before consideration.

How many reviewers evaluate each manuscript?

Typically, manuscripts are evaluated by two independent reviewers.

In certain cases, a third reviewer may be invited when additional expertise is required or when reviewer recommendations differ significantly.

How long do reviewers have to complete a review?

Reviewers are generally expected to complete their review within two weeks of accepting the invitation.

If additional time is required, reviewers should contact the Editorial Office to request an extension.

What should I consider before accepting a review invitation?

Before accepting a review assignment, reviewers should consider:

• Whether the manuscript matches their expertise.

• Whether they can provide an unbiased and objective evaluation.

• Whether any conflicts of interest exist.

• Whether they can complete the review within the required timeframe.

What should a reviewer evaluate in a manuscript?

Reviewers should assess:

• Novelty and significance of the research.

• Appropriateness and robustness of the methodology.

• Accuracy and interpretation of results.

• Quality and clarity of figures, tables, and supplementary materials.

• Adequacy and relevance of references.

• Logical consistency between results, discussion, and conclusions.

• Compliance with ethical requirements and reporting guidelines.

• Overall suitability for publication in the journal.

What should be included in a review report?

A review report should generally include:

Brief Summary: An overview of the manuscript's objectives, contribution, strengths, and major findings.

General Comments: Comments regarding organisation, clarity, language, presentation, and overall quality.

Specific Comments: Detailed scientific comments, including suggestions for improving methodology, interpretation, figures, tables, references, or missing information.

Reviewers may also provide confidential comments to the Editor regarding concerns that should not be shared with authors.

What recommendations can reviewers provide?

Reviewers may recommend:

• Accept in the present form.

• Accept with minor revisions.

• Accept with major revisions.

• Reject, with no resubmission.

The final decision is made by the Editor-in-Chief or handling editor after considering reviewer reports and editorial evaluations.

Can reviewers use AI tools to help prepare their review reports?

Reviewers may use AI tools only for limited purposes, such as improving the grammar or clarity of their own written comments.

However, reviewers must not upload manuscripts, confidential manuscript content, or unpublished research information to any AI tool.

AI must not be used to:

• Evaluate manuscripts.

• Interpret research findings.

• Assess scientific quality.

• Make recommendations or decisions regarding publication.

Reviewers remain fully responsible for the content and integrity of their review reports.

Are reviewer identities disclosed to authors?

No. Reviewer identities remain confidential. Scifiniti Publishing does not publicly disclose reviewer names or review reports during manuscript processing or after publication.

What should a reviewer do if they identify a conflict of interest?

Reviewers should immediately inform the Editorial Office and decline or discontinue the review if a conflict of interest exists.

Potential conflicts may include:

• Current or previous institutional affiliation with the authors.

• Recent collaborations or publications with the authors.

• Personal, financial, or professional relationships that may influence objectivity.

What should a reviewer do if they suspect plagiarism, data manipulation, or ethical concerns?

Reviewers should not contact authors directly.

Any concerns regarding plagiarism, data fabrication, image manipulation, research misconduct, or ethical issues should be confidentially reported to the Editorial Office.

The Editorial Office will investigate such concerns in accordance with COPE guidelines.

Are reviewers allowed to suggest references?

Reviewers may suggest additional references when they are genuinely relevant and improve the quality, accuracy, or context of the manuscript.

However, reviewers must not recommend unnecessary citations of their own work or unrelated publications, as this may constitute citation manipulation.

Are reviewers rewarded for their contribution?

Scifiniti Publishing acknowledges reviewers' contributions by providing:

• A formal reviewer certificate of acknowledgment.

Complimentary English-editing and graphical-enhancement services for future articles published with Scifiniti Publishing.

III. Editors

How independent are editorial decisions at Scifiniti Publishing?

Editorial decisions at Scifiniti Publishing are fully independent.

All decisions regarding peer review, revision, and publication are made solely by the Editor-in-Chief or designated Editorial Board members, without financial, commercial, or institutional influence.

Scifiniti Publishing follows the principles of editorial independence recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Can editors use AI tools when making decisions on a manuscript?

Editors must not use AI tools to evaluate, assess, interpret, or make decisions regarding manuscripts.

Limited use of AI may be permitted for administrative or linguistic tasks, such as improving correspondence. However, all editorial decisions must remain based on the editor's own expert judgement and responsibility.

How are complaints and appeals against editorial decisions handled?

Complaints and appeals must be submitted in writing to the Editorial Office.

Complaints are acknowledged within 5–7 working days, and resolution is typically provided within 4–8 weeks, depending on the complexity of the matter.

Appeals against rejection decisions must be submitted within 30 days of the decision.

The editor responsible for the original decision will not handle the appeal. Appeals are reviewed by an independent editor or senior editorial board member.

The outcome of the appeal is final.

What is expected of a guest editor managing a special issue?

Guest editors are responsible for:

• Preparing and submitting the special issue proposal.

• Identifying and inviting suitable authors.

• Ensuring submitted manuscripts are within scope and meet quality expectations.

• Coordinating communication between authors, reviewers, and the Editorial Office.

• Supporting the promotion of the special issue.

• Preparing an editorial article, where applicable, which must undergo the standard peer review process.

The Editor-in-Chief retains final authority over all editorial decisions, including acceptance or rejection decisions for manuscripts submitted by the guest editor.

How can anyone apply to become an editor or start a new journal?

Researchers interested in becoming an editor or proposing a new journal may submit an application through the Scifiniti Publishing website.

Applicants interested in establishing a new journal should provide relevant information, including:

• Proposed journal title.

• Scope and objectives.

• Target audience.

• Editorial strategy.

• Proposed editorial board members.

• Justification for establishing the journal.

The Scifiniti Publishing team evaluates proposals based on:

• Academic relevance.

• Alignment with the publisher's scope.

• Market demand.

• Growth potential.

• Suitability of the proposed editorial team.

Following an initial assessment, shortlisted applicants may be invited for an online meeting.

A detailed evaluation, including field analysis, feasibility assessment, and strategic review, will then be conducted by the Editorial Office.

If approved, the journal will be developed collaboratively with the proposed editorial team under a mutual agreement outlining responsibilities, timelines, and operational requirements.