Policy for Multi-Authored Open Access Book Proposals
The AgEcon Frontiers Publishing Program
(Applicable for Edited Books & Contributed Volumes)
Scope and Nature of Submitted Books
The AgEcon Frontiers (TAEF) invites high-quality, multi-authored open access book proposals in the fields of agricultural economics, food systems, climate change, rural development, agribusiness, and aligned social sciences. These books aim to provide global knowledge, regional insights, evidence-based policy guidance, and innovative research perspectives. All submissions must comply with the following policy guidelines.
Multi-authored book proposals may include:
Edited books
Thematic scholarly volumes
Policy-focused collections
Methodological/technical handbooks
Regional or country-focused analyses
All proposed books must:
✔ Present original, unpublished work
✔ Align with TAEF’s thematic fields
✔ Have global, regional, or national relevance
✔ Be suitable for a broad scholarly and practitioner audience
Open Access Policy
Books under this program are published fully open access to maximize visibility, accessibility, and global impact.
All accepted books:
✔ Are published free for readers
✔ Receive an ISBN
✔ Are hosted on the AgEcon Frontiers platform
✔ Are submitted for indexing in CABI and Scopus
✔ Are archived in global repositories such as Internet Archive
Chapter Processing Charges (CPCs)
An CPC is applicable for all multi-authored books.
The CPC covers:
Editorial management
DOI assignment
Layout and copyediting
Open access hosting
Indexing applications
Long-term archiving
The CPC:
Is charged per chapter, not per book
Is communicated upon acceptance of the book proposal
May be shared by authors, institutions, or sponsors
Fast-Track Publication Timeline
TAEF offers fast-track publication for eligible edited volumes.
⏳ Standard publication timeframe: 3–6 months after final manuscript submission, subject to:
Timely peer review
Author responsiveness
Completion of revisions
This makes TAEF an ideal venue for:
Time-sensitive research
Policy-driven thematic volumes
Conference-associated edited books
Role of the Series Editor / Book Proposer (Corresponding Editor)
Each multi-authored book must designate a Series Editor or Lead Book Editor. Their responsibilities include:
Editorial Coordination
Develop the book concept and table of contents
Invite chapter contributors
Ensure thematic coherence across chapters
Oversee timelines, communications, and internal deadlines
Peer Review Management
The Series Editor is responsible for coordinating the double-blind peer review process through TAEF’s online book/chapter submission system.
Each chapter must be reviewed by:
One reviewer from the chapter’s native country/region, AND
One international reviewer with relevant expertise
The Series Editor:
✔ Identifies qualified reviewers
✔ Ensures double anonymity
✔ Manages review reports and author revisions
✔ Confirms that all chapters meet scholarly and ethical standards
TAEF staff provides administrative and technical support throughout the process.
Ethical and Quality Assurance
Series Editors must ensure:
No plagiarism or previously published content
Adherence to academic writing quality
Use of referencing and formatting guidelines
Compliance with copyright and permissions
Reviewer Responsibilities
a) Objectivity and Impartiality
Reviewers should evaluate the manuscript solely on its academic merit, without personal or institutional bias. Criticism should be constructive, and reviewers must avoid derogatory or dismissive language.
b) Confidentiality
Manuscripts under review are strictly confidential. Reviewers must not share, discuss, or use any part of the manuscript for personal or professional gain.
c) Timeliness
Reviewers are expected to submit their evaluations within the designated timeframe. If an extension is needed, they should immediately inform the editor.
d) Conflict of Interest
Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts, such as:
Personal or professional relationships with the author(s).
Financial or competitive interests related to the research.
Involvement in similar research that could affect neutrality.
e) Integrity and Ethics
If a reviewer suspects plagiarism, data fabrication, ethical misconduct, or significant overlap with published work, they should notify the editor confidentially.
f) Human Oversight in Reviews
The use of AI tools, automated summarizers, or large language models (LLMs) to generate review content is not permitted. Reviewers are responsible for their reports and must ensure that feedback is original, accurate, and human-authored.
Writing a Constructive Review
A well-prepared review should provide a balanced evaluation, recognizing both strengths and areas needing improvement. The following framework is recommended:
1. Summary of the Manuscript
Briefly restate the study’s purpose, methods, and major findings. This demonstrates that the reviewer has understood the paper and sets the context for detailed feedback.
2. Major Comments
Identify critical issues that must be addressed before the paper can be considered for publication, such as:
Insufficient or unclear methodology
Flawed data interpretation
Unsupported conclusions
Missing key literature
Provide clear, actionable suggestions for improvement rather than vague criticism.
3. Minor Comments
Include stylistic, formatting, or referencing issues that can enhance readability. These are not decisive for acceptance but help refine the manuscript.
4. Recommendation
Choose one of the following:
Accept
Minor Revisions
Major Revisions
Reject
The editor values reviewer recommendations, but final decisions are made considering all feedback and journal priorities.
Evaluation Criteria
Reviewers should consider the following when assessing manuscripts:
Originality: Does the paper present novel ideas, data, or perspectives?
Relevance: Is the topic aligned with agricultural economics, policy, or development?
Methodology: Are research design, sampling, and analysis methods appropriate and clearly described?
Data Quality: Are data sources credible, sufficient, and transparently reported?
Results and Discussion: Are results logically presented and linked to objectives?
Policy Implications: Does the study contribute to understanding or improving agricultural policy?
Ethical Compliance: Are research ethics and integrity maintained?
Clarity and Structure: Is the paper well-organized and clearly written?
Ethical Expectations
AgEcon Frontiers follows the ethical principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Reviewers are required to:
Uphold the confidentiality of the peer review process.
Avoid personal, gender, or nationality-based bias.
Refrain from using unpublished data for personal research.
Alert editors of any suspected academic misconduct.
Reviewers should not contact authors directly; all communication must occur through the editorial office.
Confidentiality and Use of AI Tools
All materials reviewed are confidential and must not be shared, copied, or uploaded to any AI-powered or cloud-based system for assistance or editing.
AgEcon Frontiers strictly prohibits the use of generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Bard) to assess or summarize manuscripts, as these tools may inadvertently store data externally, compromising confidentiality. Reviewers remain personally accountable for the accuracy, tone, and validity of their evaluations.
Reviewer Recognition and Benefits
AgEcon Frontiers deeply values the contributions of its reviewers and recognizes their essential role in maintaining publication excellence. Reviewers are offered:
Official Certificates of Review upon request.
Annual acknowledgment on the journal’s website.
Eligibility for the Outstanding Reviewer Award, based on quality and timeliness of reviews.
Consideration for future membership on the Editorial Review Board.
Opportunity to gain professional visibility in the AgEcon scholarly network.
Reviewers also enjoy early exposure to innovative research, strengthening their understanding of new methodologies and trends in agricultural economics.
How to Review Effectively
Here are key recommendations for producing high-quality, professional reviews:
Read Thoroughly: Review the entire manuscript, including figures, tables, and appendices, before drafting comments.
Be Objective: Focus on evidence-based evaluation rather than personal preferences.
Be Specific: Suggest practical improvements (e.g., “Provide a robustness test for model X”) instead of general statements (“Improve analysis”).
Maintain a Supportive Tone: Frame comments constructively to encourage the author’s development.
Be Concise: Avoid overly lengthy or repetitive feedback.
Structure Your Review: Organize comments by section (Introduction, Methods, Results, etc.) for clarity.
Respect Confidentiality: Avoid sharing your review or discussing it outside the editorial system.
Review Outcomes and Revisions
After receiving reviewer reports, the editor consolidates feedback and communicates the decision to the author.
If revisions are requested:
Authors will respond to reviewer comments point by point.
Reviewers may be invited to assess the revised version to ensure that issues have been adequately addressed.
If the paper meets all standards, the editor proceeds with acceptance and publication.
Reviewers’ consistency and balanced judgment across multiple submissions help maintain the integrity and reputation of AgEcon Frontiers.
Handling Ethical or Professional Concerns
If reviewers encounter suspected misconduct such as plagiarism, data fabrication, duplicate submission, or ethical non-compliance, they should promptly inform the editor, providing clear details or evidence.
The editorial office will then follow COPE guidelines to investigate the issue confidentially and fairly.
Reviewers should not attempt to verify misconduct independently or contact authors directly.
Submission Process for Book Proposals
Authors/editors must submit proposals by downloading book proposal form and email at books@ageconfrontiers.com
TAEF’s editorial board reviews proposals within 48–72 hours.
Review, Acceptance, and Production Process
Proposal submission
Internal evaluation by TAEF Editorial Board
Conditional acceptance & APC agreement
Chapter submission through the online system
Double-blind review of each chapter
Revision and final approval by Series Editor
Language editing & formatting
ISBN assignment & production
Online open-access publication
Submission to CABI and Scopus for indexing
Copyright and Licensing
Books are published under Creative Commons open-access licenses (CC-BY) unless specified otherwise.
Authors retain full rights to their individual chapters.
Post-Publication Visibility
TAEF promotes each book through:
Website highlights
Social media announcements
Academic networks
Conference partnerships
Newsletters and mailing lists
High-quality books may also be featured in the AgEcon Frontiers Book Series.
Contact and Support
For enquiries, proposal development guidance, or APC information:
📧books@ageconfrontiers.com
🌐www.ageconfrontiers.com
The AgEcon Frontiers (SMC-Private) Limited (TAEF) is a knowledge-driven platform dedicated to advancing research, policy, and innovation in agricultural economics, food systems, environmental sustainability, and rural transformation. We connect scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to foster inclusive, evidence-based solutions for a resilient future.
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