Why Following Author Guidelines Perfectly Can Be the Difference Between Rejection and Acceptance
Step-by-step guide to following author guidelines for smooth peer review and faster publication.
In academic publishing, even outstanding research can be rejected for a surprisingly simple reason: failure to adhere to the journal’s author guidelines. Editors receive hundreds of submissions, and manuscripts that don’t meet basic requirements are often desk-rejected without review.
Understanding what author guidelines include—and handling each section carefully—can dramatically improve your chances of acceptance. This article provides a practical, step-by-step guide for preparing your manuscript exactly to journal specifications.
What Are Author Guidelines?
Author guidelines are a set of rules and instructions provided by journals to ensure consistency, readability, and professionalism. They typically cover:
Manuscript structure and formatting
Word count and section requirements
Citation and reference style
Figure and table specifications
Supplementary materials
Ethical statements, disclosures, and permissions
Following these guidelines is not merely cosmetic—it signals professionalism, attention to detail, and respect for the editorial process.
Practical Guide to Handling Each Section
1. Manuscript Structure
Most journals follow the IMRaD format (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion), but some have additional sections.
How to Handle It:
Read the journal’s required sections carefully.
Ensure each section meets the content expectations (e.g., Methods should fully describe procedures for reproducibility).
Include abstracts, keywords, and conclusions exactly as requested.
2. Word Count and Section Requirements
Every journal specifies maximum (and sometimes minimum) word counts for the full manuscript, abstract, and individual sections.
How to Handle It:
Use word count tools to verify your manuscript before submission.
Edit carefully—concise writing is often favored.
Divide content logically to match required section headings.
3. Citation and Reference Style
Different journals require APA, Vancouver, AMA, or other styles. Incorrect citations are a common reason for delays.
How to Handle It:
Use reference management software (Zotero, EndNote, Mendeley) to format automatically.
Double-check in-text citations match the reference list.
Ensure journal-specific nuances (italics, punctuation, DOI formatting) are applied.
4. Figures and Tables
Journals often specify resolution, labeling, numbering, and file formats for images and tables.
How to Handle It:
Use the exact file types requested (e.g., TIFF, JPEG, EPS).
Ensure high resolution (typically 300 dpi or higher).
Number figures and tables consecutively and include descriptive captions.
Refer to each figure/table in the text appropriately.
5. Supplementary Materials
Some journals request datasets, appendices, or additional figures.
How to Handle It:
Prepare supplementary files in advance.
Name files clearly and follow the journal’s submission format.
Reference supplementary material in the main manuscript.
6. Ethical Statements and Disclosures
Statements regarding ethics approval, informed consent, conflicts of interest, and funding sources are required for credibility.
How to Handle It:
Include ethics approval numbers where relevant.
State conflicts of interest and funding clearly.
Ensure all authors approve the submission and meet authorship criteria.
7. Cover Letter
While technically separate from the manuscript, many journals require a cover letter explaining the significance of your work and fit for the journal.
How to Handle It:
Keep it concise and professional.
Highlight novelty, relevance, and suitability for the target journal.
Avoid summarizing the entire manuscript—editors want a snapshot, not a repeat.
Why Perfect Compliance Matters
Avoid Desk Rejection: Manuscripts that ignore basic rules are often rejected immediately.
Smooth Peer Review: Reviewers focus on content, not formatting issues, when guidelines are followed.
Professional Impression: Attention to detail signals credibility and respect for the journal’s process.
Faster Publication: Properly formatted submissions move through editorial and production stages more quickly.
In short, mastering author guidelines is a strategic step in the path to acceptance—it can save months of delay.
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Ensuring perfect compliance with a journal’s author guidelines can be time-consuming and complex. SITA Academy helps researchers worldwide by professionally formatting manuscripts for their target journals.
We prepare your paper exactly according to the journal’s specifications.
Figures, tables, references, and supplementary materials are handled flawlessly.
Ethical statements, disclosures, and cover letters are submitted along with your original paper.
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