Many researchers have misconceptions about the journal decision process. Some assume that journals immediately assess scientific quality, or that a well-written paper guarantees acceptance. In reality, the process is structured, sequential, and sometimes unpredictable.
Understanding this process helps authors prepare better manuscripts, choose the right journals, and anticipate challenges. Journals have limited space, strict scope requirements, and high competition, so knowing what happens after submission is crucial.
Desk rejection occurs when an editor decides not to send a paper for peer review. This is one of the most common reasons for quick rejections. Desk rejection is not always a judgment on scientific quality; often, it’s about fit, clarity, or compliance with submission requirements.
During the desk review, editors typically check:
Scope: Does the paper align with the journal’s aims and subject area?
Originality: Does it contribute new knowledge to the field?
Relevance: Will the paper interest the journal’s readers?
Basic quality: Are the abstract, title, and keywords clear?
Editors often rely on their experience to make a rapid assessment. A paper that fails these checks may be rejected within days.
The topic is outside the journal’s scope.
The manuscript does not clearly communicate its contribution.
The writing quality is poor or difficult to understand.
Ethical or formatting issues are present.
Understanding these factors allows authors to avoid common pitfalls before submission.
Even high-quality research can be rejected if it doesn’t fit the journal. Editors prioritize papers that match their audience and content areas. A mismatch between the paper’s topic and the journal’s focus often results in immediate rejection, regardless of scientific merit.
Editors check if the paper:
Fits within the journal’s defined subject areas
Adds value to the journal’s readership
Addresses current trends or debates in the field
If the research doesn’t clearly align, editors may recommend submitting to a more suitable journal.
Review the journal’s aims and scope on its website
Check recently published articles to understand trends
Consider contacting the editorial office with a brief abstract to confirm suitability
Ensuring a good fit reduces the risk of desk rejection and speeds up the publication process.
Even before sending a paper to reviewers, editors check for basic quality and compliance. These checks include:
The title should be concise and accurately describe the study.
The abstract must summarize the purpose, methods, results, and conclusions clearly.
Keywords help editors and reviewers quickly assess relevance.
Poor language or unclear writing can create a negative first impression. Editors look for readability, logical flow, and correct grammar. Non-native English speakers often benefit from professional language editing before submission.
Editors check that the study design is appropriate for the research question, that the methods are described clearly, and that the results are credible. Papers with obvious methodological flaws may be rejected before peer review.
Editors ensure that authors have adhered to ethical guidelines (e.g., informed consent, approval from ethics committees) and that the work is original. Many journals use plagiarism detection software at this stage.
Once a paper passes editorial screening, it goes to peer reviewers. Reviewers are experts in the field who provide detailed evaluations. Their assessments play a major role in acceptance decisions.
Reviewers check if the research:
Provides new insights or findings
Fills gaps in existing literature
Offers meaningful advancement in the field
Reviewers examine whether the methods are:
Clearly described and reproducible
Appropriate for the research question
Statistically sound, if applicable
Are the results clearly presented?
Do the authors interpret findings accurately and logically?
Does the discussion connect results to previous research?
Are references relevant, recent, and properly cited?
Does the paper reflect familiarity with the current literature?
Addressing these points thoroughly increases the likelihood of a positive reviewer recommendation.
After peer review, editors must synthesize reviewer comments and make the final call. They consider:
Editors weigh reviewer recommendations, noting areas of agreement and disagreement. They often request revisions if reviewers disagree on minor points.
Even with positive reviews, editors may reject papers that:
Don’t fit the journal’s scope perfectly
Compete poorly with other submissions
Lack novelty or broad interest for the audience
Conversely, a paper may be accepted despite minor reviewer concerns if it aligns well with the journal’s priorities.
Limited space in each issue means editors prioritize papers that are timely, relevant, and likely to attract citations. Acceptance decisions are not solely about quality—they also reflect strategic considerations.
Understanding how journals decide which papers to accept is crucial for any researcher. The process involves editorial screening, scope evaluation, quality checks, peer review, and final editorial judgment.
Authors can improve their chances by:
Choosing journals that align with their research scope
Ensuring clarity, novelty, and methodological soundness
Following ethical standards and formatting guidelines
Using professional editing and publication support if needed
By knowing what happens behind the scenes, researchers can submit papers strategically, reduce rejection risk, and successfully publish in reputable journals.
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