How to Avoid Research Paper Rejection
The most common reasons for rejection and the practices that meaningfully reduce their incidence.
A diagnostic account of the principal causes of manuscript rejection, with corresponding practices that authors can adopt to improve the likelihood of acceptance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What proportion of submissions are rejected at the desk stage?
Estimates vary by field and journal; ranges of 30 to 70 per cent are routinely reported for established venues.
Should authors appeal a rejection?
Appeals are appropriate where a clear factual error in the review can be demonstrated. Appeals on grounds of disagreement alone are rarely successful.
Is it acceptable to resubmit a rejected paper to the same journal?
Only if the editor explicitly invites resubmission, typically as a substantially revised manuscript.
How quickly should a rejected paper be resubmitted elsewhere?
Time should be allowed to revise in light of the rejection letter; resubmitting an unchanged paper to another journal is rarely productive.