An Introduction to Cureus Collections
What is a Cureus Collection?
Cureus Collections are curated collections of peer-reviewed articles focused on a specific topic. Think of them as our version of special issues! There are two types of Cureus Collections: collections created and managed by the journal’s editorial staff, and collections proposed, created, and managed by one or more guest editors.
What are the Responsibilities of a Collection Guest Editor?
Volunteer editing involves reviewing article submissions that the authors have submitted for inclusion in a specific collection. When creating and submitting an article draft to Cureus, the submitting author has the opportunity to select a specific collection that they think would be a good fit for their article.
If the article is accepted for peer review and eventually approved for publication, it will be queued for a simple include/exclude decision by the designated collection's guest editor. Approved articles will appear within the collection, while rejected articles will still be published, just not in the designated collection.
Enhancing Editorial Efficiency
We want the guest editor’s job to be as easy as possible. As a result, volunteer editing is limited to making a binary choice: to include or exclude articles submitted to their collection.
Cureus is known for our fast and efficient publication process and we don’t want to add additional steps and delays for articles submitted to collections. While responsibilities may expand in the future, the guest editor role remains intentionally simple for now.
What are the Benefits of Volunteering as a Guest Editor?
Serving as a medical guest editor for a Cureus Collection is a great opportunity to position yourself as a thought leader in your field and gain invaluable academic experience for your CV. Share and promote your collection with colleagues near and far to drive engagement and raise awareness of your collaboration with the Cureus Journal of Medical Science!
Cureus handles everything related to article processing and publishing including preliminary quality checks, peer review management, and copy editing so medical guest editors can focus on two vital ingredients for a successful Cureus Collection:
- Selecting the highest quality and most relevant articles for inclusion in your collection
- Promoting your collection with colleagues across your institution and any relevant professional organizations or societies
How does Cureus support medical guest editors in managing submissions?
Cureus provides comprehensive support to medical guest editors and curators through clear guidelines, training materials, and a streamlined dashboard. Our team supports the journal’s peer review process, quality checks, and technical issues, enabling volunteer editors to concentrate on selecting the most relevant articles.
Can guest editors propose new collections or special issues?
Yes. Cureus encourages medical guest editors to propose new medical research collections and special issues on relevant topics. Editors receive guidance throughout proposal development, scope definition, and promotional planning to ensure each collection meets journal standards.
Are there specific criteria for becoming a guest editor?
To volunteer as a medical guest editor for a Cureus Collection, applicants must:
- Hold a medical degree or equivalent
- Demonstrate expertise in their specialty
- Have a record of scholarly activity
Medical residents may participate if supervised by a senior, fully qualified medical guest editor. Cureus seeks committed professionals who can manage submissions efficiently and uphold peer review standards to ensure the integrity of our article collections.
Is there a limit to the number of collections a medical curator can oversee?
No. Medical guest editors may manage multiple collections if they can dedicate sufficient time and oversight. Cureus encourages experienced editors to contribute across different themes and types of articles to create a diverse range of focused collections that enhance global medical knowledge sharing.
Are there any costs associated with managing or creating a collection as a medical guest editor?
No. Creating and managing collections in Cureus is free. Our Open Access model keeps collections accessible at no cost to the medical community.
Can guest editors add articles they authored to their collection?
Yes. Volunteer medical guest editors can include their own articles in the collection if they fit the theme. All articles must undergo peer review and meet Cureus quality standards before publication.
How much time does a medical guest editor typically commit?
The time commitment for a medical guest editor varies based on how many submissions a collection receives, but most editors spend only a few minutes per article reviewing the submission and making an include/exclude decision.
Cureus streamlines the entire process so guest editors can manage their collections without heavy administrative work. Editors are free to increase or decrease their activity depending on availability, ensuring the role remains flexible and manageable for busy clinicians and researchers.
What qualifications make a strong medical editor for Cureus?
A successful medical guest editor typically has a strong clinical or research background, familiarity with academic publishing, and the ability to evaluate the relevance and quality of submitted work.
While prior editorial experience is helpful, it is not required, as Cureus provides all the necessary tools and guidance to help editors succeed.
Ideal guest editors are organized, responsive, and committed to supporting credible medical science. Experienced researchers, clinicians, and medical curators with an interest in shaping topic-specific collections are especially encouraged to apply.
Can medical guest editors invite colleagues to submit to their collection?
Yes. Guest editors are encouraged to invite colleagues, collaborators, and members of their professional network to submit articles relevant to their collection's theme. Doing so can help build momentum, increase engagement, and highlight emerging topics in the field.
Invited submissions still undergo the same peer review and quality checks as all Cureus articles, ensuring that every published contribution meets the journal's standards for scientific rigor.