Submission & Peer Review
1. What is the status of my paper after submission?
After you submit your manuscript, its status becomes "Pending". This means the editorial office has received your submission and it is awaiting initial screening. The status remains "Pending" throughout the review process until the editor makes a final decision (Accept / Minor Revision / Major Revision / Reject). You will be notified by email when the status changes. Please be patient, as peer review takes time to ensure thorough evaluation.
2. Can authors withdraw a manuscript after submission?
Yes, authors can withdraw their manuscript at any time by their own action directly through our website where they originally submitted, by choosing the withdrawal option. This allows you to remove your paper from consideration if you decide to submit elsewhere or need more time for revisions.
3. If my paper is rejected, can I resubmit after major revision?
Yes, if we offer you the opportunity to make major changes and resubmit, you are welcome to do so. The editor will provide specific guidance on what revisions are needed. Please note that a new submission number will be assigned, and the paper will go through a fresh review process.
4. Why was my paper rejected quickly without review?
A large number of submissions are rejected quickly because they fall outside the journal's scope. We perform an initial screening to ensure each manuscript aligns with the journal's aims and scope. If your paper does not fit, we reject it promptly to help you find another suitable journal without delay. This saves you valuable time. Always check the journal's scope and recent publications before submitting.
5. How long does the peer review process take?
The initial decision is typically communicated within 4-6 weeks after submission. This timeframe includes finding appropriate reviewers and evaluating their feedback. The full process, from submission to final acceptance, can vary depending on the number of revision rounds required. We strive for efficiency while maintaining rigorous quality standards.
6. What are the technical requirements for manuscript submission?
Important submission guidelines:
- We accept papers prepared in WORD format only (no LaTeX files at this time)
- Our submission system accepts only one file. If you need to submit multiple files (figures, tables, supplementary materials), you must zip them into a single archive and upload only that one file
- Critical note: When uploading, you must select docx if your file is a .docx file. Otherwise, since the default selection is doc, your upload may fail
- Some journals provide templates; please check the specific journal's guidelines. Generally, we follow standard formatting instructions available on our website. Always read our guidelines carefully before making any submission.
- We accept papers prepared in WORD format only (no LaTeX files at this time)
- Our submission system accepts only one file. If you need to submit multiple files (figures, tables, supplementary materials), you must zip them into a single archive and upload only that one file
- Critical note: When uploading, you must select docx if your file is a .docx file. Otherwise, since the default selection is doc, your upload may fail
- Some journals provide templates; please check the specific journal's guidelines. Generally, we follow standard formatting instructions available on our website. Always read our guidelines carefully before making any submission.
7. What is the peer review policy of Growing Science journals?
We operate a rigorous double-blind peer review process, where both the authors' and reviewers' identities are hidden. Each submission is evaluated by independent experts in the field to ensure the quality, originality, and validity of the research. Reviewers provide constructive feedback to help improve the manuscript.
8. How can I check the status of my submitted manuscript?
You can check the status of your manuscript at any time by logging into the online submission system with your author account. You will also receive automated email notifications when the status changes. If you have any questions, please contact the editorial office.
9. How can a researcher propose a special issue?
Yes, we allow researchers with outstanding resumes to propose special issues. If you have a strong publication record and a compelling topic for a special issue, please contact us directly at info@growingscience.com with your proposal and CV. Our editorial team will review your request.
10. Can I add or remove authors after submission?
Any change in authorship after submission (including adding, removing, or reordering authors) requires a written explanation signed by ALL authors, including the author being added or removed. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the editor. Unauthorized authorship changes may result in rejection of the manuscript.
Publication & Production
11. When does my paper become available online after acceptance?
When your paper is accepted, it becomes available online immediately on the same day. It will appear as an "Online First" article. However, the paper will not yet have a volume or issue number assigned at this stage.
12. What about the DOI of my accepted paper?
Each accepted paper is assigned a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) immediately upon acceptance. However, the DOI will become fully activated only when we assign the volume and issue number to your paper. Until then, the DOI link may not resolve. Once your paper is officially published in a specific volume and issue, the DOI will be fully functional and permanent.
13. Can authors withdraw or update a paper after publication?
Once a paper is published, there is no withdrawal policy. In this case, authors can only request a retraction with a retraction note explaining the reason. Both publisher and author parties can make such retraction decisions based on different circumstances. For updates or corrections to published work, authors can publish another paper with notes, an erratum, or a corrigendum explaining the changes.
14. What is the publication schedule for Growing Science journals?
Our journals are typically published on a quarterly basis, meaning four issues per year. You can find the specific publication schedule on each journal's homepage.
15. What citation style should I use for my references?
Our journals typically follow a standard citation style similar to many academic journals. Detailed formatting guidelines are provided in the "Author Guidelines" section for each journal. Please ensure your references are complete and correctly formatted before submission.
Indexing & Impact (Scopus / Web of Science)
16. How long does it take for my paper to appear in Scopus or Web of Science after publication?
Once your paper is officially published (with volume and issue number assigned), it typically takes 4-6 weeks for the paper to be indexed by Scopus and Web of Science databases. However, indexing timelines are controlled solely by the indexing bodies and may vary.
17. What should I do if my published paper does not appear in Scopus or Web of Science?
If your paper does not appear in Scopus or Web of Science within a reasonable timeframe, or if the information displayed is incorrect, you should contact the respective database directly:
Scopus Support: https://service.elsevier.com/app/contact/supporthub/scopus/
Web of Science Support (Clarivate): https://support.clarivate.com/WebofScience/s/
Please note that indexing is the responsibility of the database providers, not the publisher.
Scopus Support: https://service.elsevier.com/app/contact/supporthub/scopus/
Web of Science Support (Clarivate): https://support.clarivate.com/WebofScience/s/
Please note that indexing is the responsibility of the database providers, not the publisher.
18. Where can I find current indexing and abstracting information for each journal?
Complete and up-to-date information about indexing and abstracting services that cover each journal is available on our website. The publisher updates this information on a daily basis to ensure accuracy. Please visit the homepage of each journal to view its current indexing status.
19. Are Growing Science journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science?
We actively work to have our journals indexed in major global databases. However, inclusion and coverage periods are managed solely by the indexing bodies like Scopus/Elsevier and Clarivate (Web of Science). You can check a journal's current status on its homepage or directly search for it in the Master Journal List for WoS or on Scopus' source title list.
Open Access & Fees (APC)
20. Does Growing Science charge Article Processing Charges (APCs)?
Growing Science is a Diamond Open Access publisher. Papers are normally processed free of charge. There are no mandatory APCs for authors. In case your paper needs additional editing (e.g., improvements to tables, figures, or language), authors are offered optional editing services. These fees are completely optional and not obligatory for publication.
21. Are there fee waivers for authors from low-income countries?
Yes, in cases where we need to help authors with editing for low-income countries, we do this free of charge. We are committed to supporting researchers from all regions. Please contact us to discuss your situation if you require financial assistance for optional editing services.
22. What is Diamond Open Access?
Diamond Open Access means that there are no article processing charges for authors and no subscription fees for readers. All articles are freely available to everyone immediately upon publication. The publication costs are covered by the publisher or supporting institutions, not by authors or readers.
23. Do you offer discounts for early submission or bulk submissions?
We do not accept bulk submissions. We prefer to diversify our publications among researchers from all over the world rather than concentrating multiple papers from a single author or group. This ensures a broad and diverse range of perspectives in our journals.
24. What optional editing services are available?
If your manuscript requires professional editing for language, tables, figures, or formatting, you may choose to use our optional editing services. These services are offered on a voluntary basis and are not required for publication. You are free to use your own editing resources or submit the manuscript as is.
Author Rights & Ethics
25. What Creative Commons license does Growing Science use?
All papers published by Growing Science are under the Creative Commons CC BY license. This allows others to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon your work, even commercially, as long as they credit you for the original creation. This maximizes the visibility and impact of your research.
26. Can authors share their work on institutional repositories or platforms like ResearchGate?
Yes, we actually encourage authors to share their work on institutional repositories, ResearchGate, Academia.edu, and other academic platforms after the article is published with its volume and number. This increases the visibility and reach of your research, leading to more citations and impact. We believe in maximizing the dissemination of scientific knowledge.
27. What is the plagiarism policy for Growing Science journals?
All submissions are screened for plagiarism using professional software. Manuscripts with a high similarity index (generally above 13-15%, or significant unattributed reuse of text) may be rejected or returned for revision to ensure all sources are properly cited. We adhere to COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines.
28. What are the ethics and malpractice guidelines for authors?
Growing Science follows the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Authors are expected to adhere to high ethical standards, including originality of work, proper citation, declaration of any conflicts of interest, and compliance with research ethics for studies involving human or animal subjects. Falsification, fabrication, or plagiarism will result in rejection and possible reporting to institutions.
29. How do I get an ORCID ID, and why is it important?
An ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) is a unique, permanent identifier for researchers. You can register for free at orcid.org. Having an ORCID ensures your work is correctly attributed to you (not someone with a similar name) and is increasingly required by many publishers and funding agencies.
30. Can authors promote their published articles on social media?
Yes, we actually encourage authors to promote their published articles on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and others. Social media promotion helps increase the visibility, readership, and citation potential of your research. Be sure to include the article link and DOI in your posts.
31. How are reviewers recognized for their contributions?
We issue certificates to reviewers upon request. While we do not yet offer annual awards, we plan to introduce reviewer recognition programs in the future. We deeply value the time and expertise our reviewers contribute to maintaining the quality of our journals. Please contact us if you would like a certificate acknowledging your review service.
Hard Copies & Orders
32. Can I order hard copies (printed versions) of Growing Science journals?
Yes, Growing Science provides hard copies of published journals upon request. The publisher accepts orders for printed volumes. If you need a hard copy for your library, institution, or personal collection, please contact us at info@growingscience.com with the journal name, volume number, and issue number. Pricing and shipping information will be provided upon request.
Company & Contact
33. Where is Growing Science located?
Growing Science is a Canadian online publisher of open access academic and scientific journals. Our editorial and publishing operations are based in Canada, serving a global community of researchers, authors, and readers.
34. How can I contact Growing Science?
You can reach us through the following channels:
Email: info@growingscience.com
Phone: +1-519-900-1541
Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding submissions, publications, hard copy orders, or general inquiries. Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM EST.
Email: info@growingscience.com
Phone: +1-519-900-1541
Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding submissions, publications, hard copy orders, or general inquiries. Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM EST.
35. How does Growing Science sustain its operations without charging authors mandatory fees?
Growing Science depends primarily on subscription fees from institutions and libraries for its regular activities. We also offer hard copies for purchase at cost. This sustainable model allows us to provide Diamond Open Access publishing without charging authors mandatory Article Processing Charges (APCs). Optional editing services are available but never required.
Important Note: For any additional questions not covered here, please contact the editorial office at info@growingscience.com or call +1-519-900-1541. We are here to support you throughout your publication journey.