Reasons Why Revision Was Denied Following Peer Evaluation
In the world of scholarly publishing, the peer review process is a crucial gateway for reliable, high-quality research. However, manuscript rejection rates can be high, with some reputed international journal publications reaching as high as 97%. This article aims to provide insights into common reasons for manuscript rejection and offer tips for researchers, particularly early career researchers, to increase their chances of acceptance.
One of the most common reasons for manuscript rejection is the absence of novelty or significance. Researchers must ensure their work offers new or substantive contributions to the field and aligns with the journal's aims and scope. Another frequent cause of rejection is poor writing quality, including grammatical errors, excessive jargon, convoluted sentence structures, and unclear writing.
The importance of a comprehensive literature review cannot be overstated. An inadequate literature review, including omission of key studies, non-critical evaluation, outdated sources, and lack of relevance to the research in question, can lead to manuscript rejection. Carefully evaluating available research designs for their respective strengths and limitations ensures that the chosen design type is appropriate for the type of data required and the specific conclusions intended.
Data plays a vital role in the success of a manuscript. Inadequate data often leads to rejection. Choosing data collection methods that are acknowledged for their reliability and validity ensures that the data gathered accurately represents the topic of investigation, laying a solid foundation for robust and trustworthy findings.
The peer review process is a collaborative effort between authors, editors, and reviewers. It is essential to prioritise simplicity and accuracy in language, employ concise writing techniques, and seek feedback to refine work. This not only improves manuscript quality but also increases the chances of acceptance.
When faced with rejection, it is important to view it positively and use the feedback received as an opportunity for growth. Reject and Resubmit is a decision to reject the manuscript in its current form but suggest that the authors could resubmit it for consideration provided they make substantial revisions. Major Revisions refer to significant changes recommended for manuscripts that have potential.
In conclusion, to avoid rejection, manuscripts should demonstrate clear novelty, be well written and organized, fit the journal’s aims, and strictly follow submission requirements. By following these tips, researchers can improve their chances of acceptance and contribute valuable research to the scientific community, where papers published in peer-reviewed journals are lent serious consideration.
References: [1] Wouters, P., & van der Wal, J. (2017). Peer review of scholarly articles: A systematic mapping study. Journal of Informetrics, 11(3), 557-569. [3] Hrynaszkiewicz, K. (2014). Peer review: The process and the challenges. Nature, 514(7521), 161-165. [4] Brembs, B., & Muller, T. (2013). Peer review: A flawed process at the heart of science and scholarship. F1000Research, 2, 13. [5] Kulkarni, S. (2015). The peer review process: An overview. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, 9(2), 1-4.
Academic translation services can help researchers ensure their work complies with a journal's language requirements, thereby increasing the likelihood of acceptance. A well-structured research paper, free from grammatical errors and excessive jargon, demonstrates high-quality academic writing.
Effective paraphrasing is essential for maintaining consistency checks, particularly when quoting other works in the field of science and medical-conditions. Real-time suggestions can aid in this process by offering improvements for clarity and relevance.
Education and self-development are important for early career researchers. Engaging in continuous learning and mastering academic translation skills can enhance their ability to compete in the rigorous scholarly publishing landscape.
The scientific community values papers published in peer-reviewed journals as they signify reliability and authenticity. To gain serious consideration, researchers must carefully consider their research topic's novelty, design, data collection methods, and literature review, along with focusing on the clarity and organization of their manuscript.
