Open Science
Open Access Explained: Gold, Green, Diamond and What an APC Actually Pays For
Open access means free to read — but "open access" is not one thing. Here are the routes (gold, green, diamond), what an article processing charge rea...
Directive Publications · Author & Reviewer ResourcesOpen Access · Peer-Reviewed
Trusted Research · Since 2026
Directive Academy
Guides on peer review, research integrity & scholarly publishing — for authors, reviewers and editors
Scientific Writing
Preparing Figures and Tables for Publication
Reviewers look at your figures before they read your words. Here is when to use a figure versus a table, the r...
Directive Editorial Team · 3 min
Peer Review
A First-Time Peer Reviewer's Guide (With a Review-Report Template)
Been invited to review your first manuscript? Here is how to decide whether to accept, how to read the paper,...
Directive Editorial Team · 3 min
Open Science
Creative Commons and Copyright for Authors: What CC BY Really Lets People Do
Publishing under CC BY does not mean giving up your copyright. Here is what the main Creative Commons licences...
Directive Editorial Team · 2 min
“Legitimate journals are transparent about their fees, peer review and editorial board — verify all three before you submit.”
— Directive Publications Editorial Standards
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Scientific Writing
How to Write and Publish a Case Report (Using the CARE Checklist)
A well-written case report can change how clinicians recognise a rare condition. Here is how to decide whether your case is worth reporting, how to st...
Peer Review
How Long Does It Take to Publish a Paper? The Manuscript Journey
From submission to publication, a paper passes through several stages — each taking time. Here is the typical journey, what affects the timeline, and...
Research Integrity
Who Counts as an Author? CRediT and Authorship Explained
Authorship carries credit and accountability — so who qualifies? Learn the ICMJE criteria, why ghost and gift authorship are wrong, and how CRediT rec...
Research Integrity
Conflicts of Interest in Research: What to Declare and Why
A conflict of interest is not wrongdoing — but failing to declare one is. Learn what counts as a conflict, what to disclose, and how to write a clear...
Open Science
Impact Factor, CiteScore & h-index: What They Really Mean
Research metrics are widely used and widely misunderstood. Learn what the Impact Factor, CiteScore and h-index measure — and, just as importantly, wha...
Scientific Writing
Citation Styles Explained: APA vs Vancouver vs MLA
APA, Vancouver and MLA format citations differently. Learn how each works, where each is used, and how to choose and manage the right style for your p...
Editor Resources
How to Run Fair, Ethical Peer Review (For Editors)
Running peer review well is the heart of an editor's job. Here is how to select reviewers, manage the process fairly, and handle problems — in line wi...
Peer Review
Preprints vs Peer-Reviewed Articles: What's the Difference?
A preprint shares your findings early; a peer-reviewed article carries the journal's validation. Learn how they differ, their pros and cons, and how t...
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Directive Publications is an open-access publisher — every article peer-reviewed, Crossref-registered, and free to read under CC BY 4.0.