Frequently Asked Questions
Are channel articles subject to the same editorial policies and procedures as non-channel articles?
Yes. All channel article submissions will undergo the same review by Cureus editor and peer reviewers prior to approval for publication. Channel articles that do not meet the standards of the journal will be rejected.
Are Cureus Channels the same as special issues in other journals?
No. Cureus Channels function much differently than traditional special issues as Cureus editors retain final control over article acceptance and publication. Cureus Collections are closer to the general approach of journal special issues, but still different, as Cureus guest editors are asked to determine whether articles already approved by Cureus journal editors are a good fit for inclusion in their collection.
Can a Channel Admin or Channel Curator review their own article?
No. Channel Admins or Curators who are listed as an author on a channel article are unable to access the article from the channel platform. This ensures that no channel articles are considered, managed or reviewed by authors, as this is a clear conflict of interest. If all Channel Admins and Channel Curators are listed as authors on a single article, this article will bypass channel preview and proceed directly to review by an independent Cureus editor.
Do Advisers invited by a Channel Admin or Curator count towards the required number of completed peer reviews?
No. As with all articles published in Cureus, every channel article must receive at least two completed peer reviews from reviewers invited by Cureus journal editors. Advisers suggested by the authors or invited by Channel Admins or Curators can assist in strengthening the article by providing valuable additional feedback, but these are not considered peer reviews and do not count towards the minimum requirement to satisfy peer review.
Does Cureus hire associate editors from channel organizations?
Yes, this can happen, although associate editors are restricted from providing editorial review of their organization’s channel articles to avoid any potential conflict of interest.
Are channel articles fast-tracked for publication?
No. Channel articles are processed in the same article queue as all other article submissions to the journal. This includes articles undergoing Preferred Editing, articles that qualified for free publication and articles that underwent third-party language editing.