We are excited to announce that the Journal of Sports and Physical Education Studies is moving to a continuous publishing model which refers to a system where articles are made available to the public as soon as they are ready, rather than being held until a specific issue of the journal is compiled. This approach is also known as "online-first" or "publish-ahead-of-print." In this model, accepted articles undergo the peer review process, and once they have been accepted and formatted, they are immediately published online in the current issue.
Key features of the continuous publishing model include:
1. Rapid Publication: Articles are published online as soon as they are finalized, allowing for quicker dissemination of research findings.
2. No Waiting for Journal Issues: Unlike traditional publishing models where articles are grouped into journal issues and released at specific intervals (e.g., monthly or quarterly), continuous publishing does not require waiting for a complete issue.
3. Increased Accessibility: The model enhances accessibility by making research findings available to the public sooner. This is particularly important in rapidly evolving fields where timely dissemination of information is crucial.
4. Flexible Structure: Journals following this model may not adhere to a strict issue-based structure. Instead, articles are organized based on when they are accepted and ready for publication.
5. Community Engagement: The model may foster increased engagement and interaction among researchers, as the continuous flow of content encourages ongoing discussions and feedback.
6. Enhanced Collaboration: Continuous publishing may encourage more collaborative and iterative research practices, as researchers can build upon each other's work in a more immediate and dynamic way.