Guide for Editors

This guide explains how editors of Uncertainty Discourse and Applications (UDA) handle manuscripts, make decisions, and protect the integrity of the scholarly record. It applies to editors handling regular submissions and to guest editors working on special issues.

1. Accepting an assignment

Handle a manuscript only when you have the relevant expertise, can give it timely attention, and can assess it impartially. Disclose any actual or apparent conflict of interest and recuse yourself when it could compromise your independence. Refer the manuscript to the Editorial Office for reassignment. Keep submissions, reviews, identities, and editorial correspondence confidential.

2. Initial assessment

Assess fit with the Aims & Scope, the significance of the research question, the adequacy of the methods, and compliance with the journal’s ethical and submission requirements. Address integrity concerns through the Publication Ethics Statement. A similarity report can inform this assessment. Examine the matched material in context before drawing any conclusion. You may decline a submission at this stage and give the authors a clear reason.

3. Selecting reviewers and overseeing review

UDA uses double-anonymous peer review. Choose independent external reviewers with relevant expertise, check for conflicts, and protect author and reviewer identities. Original research, methodological contributions, and review or survey articles may be accepted only after substantive reports from at least two independent external reviewers. Seek further review when the reports leave a material issue unresolved. Follow the Peer Review Policy and direct reviewers to the Guide for Reviewers.

4. Making and recording a decision

Assess the reasons and evidence in each report. Base your recommendation or decision on the manuscript’s scholarly merit, scope, integrity, and response to review. Explain the decisive points to the authors and distinguish required revisions from optional suggestions. Record the rationale in the submission system and refer the final decision to the editor authorized to make it.

5. Confidentiality and use of AI

Keep unpublished manuscripts, review materials, data, and confidential correspondence out of AI tools. Exercise independent scholarly judgment and take responsibility for all editorial assessments and decisions.

6. Special issues and concerns after publication

Apply the same review and integrity standards to special issues. Guest editors make recommendations. Final decisions follow the Special Issues and Guest Editors Policy, including its procedure for appointing an independent senior editor when both Editors-in-Chief have conflicts. Refer complaints, appeals, and concerns about published work to the Editorial Office. Follow the journal’s complaints and appeals procedure and policy on changes to the scholarly record.

For editorial questions or help with a submission, contact the UDA Editorial Office.