Special issues provide a curated venue for studies that report negative, null, or inconclusive outcomes. Authors should align submissions with the stated theme and follow the special issue guidelines.

Submissions undergo the same rigorous peer review process as regular articles, with additional focus on scope alignment.

• Select the correct special issue during submission
• Include a cover letter explaining fit
• Provide transparency on null results or replication outcomes
• Submit data availability statements and ethics approvals
• Define the research bias or reproducibility gap the special issue will address.
• Provide a rationale for guest editor expertise and topic coverage.
• Specify anticipated article types and approximate submission volume.
• Outline peer review timelines and editorial decision workflows.
• Describe outreach plans to research communities or consortia.
• Identify reporting standards or checklists required for submissions.
• Clarify whether replication or null results are required for scope fit.
• List any planned invited contributions or consortium partners.
• Provide proposed metrics for impact or transparency outcomes.
• Describe data sharing expectations for special issue contributors.
• Clarify whether preregistration is required for submissions.
• Specify if registered reports are encouraged for the theme.
• Provide guidance on expected reporting checklists.
• Describe how null findings will be prioritized in scope.
• Outline reviewer recruitment strategies for the issue.
• Provide expected decision timelines and revision windows.
• Describe communication plans for author outreach.
• Clarify data availability expectations for all submissions.
• Define inclusion and exclusion criteria for scope fit.
• Explain how editorial conflicts will be managed.
• Describe whether early career researchers are targeted.
• Provide plans for summary or editorial commentary.
• State expectations for transparency statements and disclosures.
• Describe how the issue will be promoted post publication.
• Specify whether cross-disciplinary submissions are welcome.
• Provide examples of acceptable topic areas and methods.
• Explain how negative findings will be summarized in the issue introduction.
• Outline criteria for acceptance when results are null but methods are strong.
• Provide reviewer pool size and expertise coverage for the topic.
• State plan for handling submissions outside the special issue scope.
• Include timeline for proposal approval and call for papers release.
• Describe how registered reports will be handled in the issue.
• Clarify whether datasets must be shared upon publication.
• Describe plans for post issue dissemination or webinars.
• State expectations for reporting of null results in the abstract.
• Provide guidance on acceptable study designs and sample sizes.
• Explain how conflicts of interest will be disclosed for guest editors.
• List required reporting guidelines or checklists for submissions.
• Specify whether preprints are permitted before submission.
• Describe the editorial workflow for revisions and resubmissions.
• Provide details on how reviewers will assess methodological rigor.
• Clarify expectations for transparency statements and data availability.

Guest editors and the IJNR editorial office coordinate to keep review timelines on track. For questions about scope or eligibility, contact the editorial office.

IJNR is committed to rigorous, transparent publishing of negative, null, and inconclusive results. We emphasize reproducible methods, full outcome reporting, and ethical compliance across all article types.

The editorial office supports authors, editors, and reviewers with clear guidance and responsive communication. For questions about scope or workflow, contact [email protected].

We encourage complete reporting, data availability, and candid discussion of limitations to strengthen the research record.