Based on the dataverse example, I have modified : OpenReviewPlugin.inc.php by adding an 'if (Request::getUserVar('save'))' block in the manage() fn to readinput, validate (not actually being used) and execute the form classes/form/SettingsForm.inc.php by adding "$plugin->updateSetting($this->_journalId, 'isOpenReview',$this->getData('isOpenReview'),'bool');" to the execute fn templates/settingsForm.tpl by adding an isOpenReview checkbox label etc (GUI elements) Result is that the isOpenReview checkbox allows the user to check or uncheck and that value is written to a record in the plugin_settings table of the sql db. I have no idea yet how to extract that setting from the db elsewhere (e.g. at points where I have to trap the workflow and redirect away from the default to whatever alternate the plugin creates.