YOUR GO-TO INTELLIGENCE RESOURCE FOR THE SCHOLARLY PUBLISHING INDUSTRY

The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Association of Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers (STM) have published two new resources aimed at strengthening editorial integrity in guest-edited collections. These collections—often released as special issues or themed volumes curated by subject experts—play a critical role in scholarly publishing by enabling concentrated exploration of timely topics, emerging fields, or specialized areas of research.

Despite their value, guest-edited collections have become increasingly susceptible to ethical concerns. Reports from publishers and editors have highlighted coordinated attempts to manipulate the scholarly record, including instances of misconduct by guest editors. In response to these issues, COPE released an initial Discussion Document on Best Practices for Guest-Edited Collections in 2023 and hosted a community forum to gather insights and raise awareness of the risks associated with such publishing models.

Building on that foundation, the newly issued formal COPE guidance consolidates key themes from its earlier work and provides actionable recommendations. It is intended to help publishers recognize and prevent unethical practices, emphasizing the importance of routine audits and clear editorial oversight throughout the lifecycle of guest-edited projects.

In parallel, STM’s Research Integrity Committee has developed a practical resource to assist publishers with operational implementation through its Task & Finish Groups. Drawing on the collective expertise of a broad group of member organizations, STM has produced a detailed how-to guide focused on auditing guest-edited issues and validating guest editors. The guide outlines step-by-step procedures for verifying editor credentials and assessing the integrity of collection content—both before and during the peer review process, as well as after publication. It encourages regular audits and proactive safeguards to detect misconduct and strengthen quality assurance.

Together, COPE and STM intend these resources to empower publishers and editors in upholding transparency, ethical standards, and editorial accountability. COPE’s guidance is freely available to the public. However, due to concerns that detailed audit processes could be exploited to bypass quality controls, STM’s guide is currently accessible only through member-restricted platforms. Interested organizations may contact STM directly to request access.

By aligning efforts, COPE and STM aim to reinforce editorial best practices, promote responsible publishing, and support the long-term credibility of guest-edited collections across the global scholarly ecosystem.