1. Alignment with Journal Scope

All special issues published in Karadeniz Fen Bilimleri Dergisi must strictly align with the overall aim and scope of the journal. Special issue proposals must focus on timely, high-impact, and original scientific themes within the field of natural and applied sciences.

2. Responsibility of the Editor-in-Chief

The Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board retain full and final responsibility for the entire editorial process of special issues. Final authority regarding guest editor appointments, oversight of peer review, and final acceptance/rejection decisions rests solely with the Editor-in-Chief.

3. Selection and Oversight of Guest Editors

Guest Editors are appointed or approved by the Editor-in-Chief based on their proven academic expertise and standing in the relevant research area. Guest Editors are obligated to adhere to the journal's publication ethics and remain under the direct supervision of the Editor-in-Chief throughout the process.

4. Peer Review Standards

All manuscripts submitted to a special issue undergo the exact same rigorous double-blind peer review process required for regular issues. No exceptions or relaxed standards are applied to special issue submissions under any circumstances.

5. Management of Conflicts of Interest

Any potential conflicts of interest involving guest editors, authors, or reviewers must be explicitly declared and managed. Individuals with a conflict of interest are strictly excluded from handling or evaluating the affected manuscript.

6. Independent Handling of Guest Editor Submissions

If a Guest Editor submits a manuscript to the special issue (as author or co-author), the evaluation process is conducted entirely independently of that Guest Editor. The submitting Guest Editor will have no access to or involvement in reviewer selection, review management, or editorial decision-making. Such submissions are managed directly by the Editor-in-Chief or an independent Section Editor.

7. Guest Editor Contribution Limit (25% Rule)

Manuscripts authored or co-authored by the Guest Editors shall not exceed 25% of the total number of articles published in that specific special issue.