From Submission to Acceptance: How Long Does SSCI Publication Really Take?

1. What Are SSCI Journals?

The Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) is part of the Web of Science Core Collection, managed by Clarivate Analytics. SSCI journals are considered highly prestigious in the social sciences because:

• They have undergone a rigorous selection process for quality and impact.

• They are included in Journal Citation Reports (JCR), meaning they have Impact Factors.

• They’re widely recognized by universities worldwide for promotion, graduation, and research grants.

Because of their credibility, publishing in SSCI journals often requires strict adherence to formatting, originality, and research quality standards — which brings us to the first stage.

2. The Formatting Process: Setting the Foundation

Before you even submit, your paper must match the journal’s author guidelines exactly. This step often takes 1–3 weeks depending on your preparation.

Key formatting tasks:

1. Manuscript Structure

   • Title page

   • Abstract (150–250 words)

   • Keywords (5–7 carefully chosen for discoverability)

   • Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion

   • References in the required style (APA, Chicago, etc.)

2. Figures and Tables

   • High resolution

   • Correct numbering and captions

3. References

   • 100% adherence to journal style

   • Use a reference manager like EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley

4. Language Quality

   • For non-native English speakers, professional native-level editing is highly recommended.

   • Time required: 3–7 days for professional editing services.

5. Plagiarism Check

   • Most SSCI journals require an iThenticate report (or similar plagiarism checker).

   • Recommended similarity index: below 10–15%.

   • Time required: 1 day to check and revise.

Tip: Journals reject manuscripts outright if they don’t meet basic formatting and originality standards, so don’t rush this stage.

3. The Submission Process

Once your paper is ready, you’ll submit through the journal’s online submission system (e.g., ScholarOne, Editorial Manager).

Steps involved:

1. Create/Log in to the submission portal

3. Suggest potential reviewers (optional in many journals)

4. Final check before submission

Average time for submission process: 1–3 days (mainly administrative).

Once submitted, your manuscript moves to the initial editorial check stage. This takes 1–2 weeks, during which the editor decides whether to send it for peer review or desk-reject it

4. The Peer Review Process

This is where the real waiting begins — and the duration varies greatly.

How it works:

1. Editor Screening

   • The Editor-in-Chief or Associate Editor ensures the paper fits the journal’s scope and meets quality requirements.

   • Timeline: 1–3 weeks.

2. Reviewer Invitation

   • Editors invite 2–4 expert reviewers in your field.

   • Timeline: 1–4 weeks (sometimes longer if reviewers decline).

3. Review Process

   • Reviewers evaluate your methodology, contribution to the field, novelty, and clarity.

   • Timeline: 6–12 weeks on average, but some journals take 4–6 months.

   • Why the variation?

     • Field complexity (e.g., large datasets or interdisciplinary topics may take longer to review)

     • Reviewer availability (holidays, workload)

     • Journal’s internal processes

4. Decision Stage

   • Major Revision — Usually means the paper is promising but requires significant changes.

   • Minor Revision — The paper is almost ready for acceptance.

   • Reject — The paper will not proceed further.

Tip: Respond to reviewer comments promptly and thoroughly. A quick, well-prepared revision can cut months off the process.

5. Acceptance Timeline

The time from submission to final acceptance depends on:

• Number of review rounds

• Speed of your revisions

• Journal efficiency

Typical SSCI timeline:

• Fast track journals: 4–6 months

• Average pace: 6–12 months

• Slow pace: 12–18 months (especially for top-tier Q1 journals)

Example:

1. Submission → First decision: 8 weeks

2. Revision 1: 3 weeks

3. Second review: 4 weeks

4. Acceptance: After ~5–6 months total

6. Publication Timeline

Acceptance is not the end — now comes the production stage.

Stages after acceptance:

1. Proofs

   • Journal sends you formatted proofs for final checking.

   • Timeline: 1–2 weeks

2. Online First Publication

   • Your article appears online before being assigned to a specific issue.

   • Timeline: 2–4 weeks after proof approval.

3. Final Issue Assignment

   • Article is assigned to a print/online issue with page numbers.

   • Timeline: 1–6 months (varies widely).