Reasons why a manuscript may get rejected

The peer review process is the cornerstone of modern science. No scientist can move on the scientific world without having to face this wall. Even Nobel Prize winners got rejected by the process, and important papers for modern science were rejected as well. It is the key or the closed door for any scientific career. This means that it does not matter how enthusiastic you are, or creative or smart you are: you must prove yourself through the peer review process [1].

If your manuscript has been rejected by your desired journal, don’t worry – you’re not alone. With a rising number of submissions annually, rejection is common. It’s crucial to reflect on potential shortcomings in your approach. Avoiding common mistakes in manuscript preparation is as vital as following best practices. Below are some situations that may lead to rejection.

1. Certain manuscript types may not align with the journal’s criteria (e.g., they may not accept case studies), or the topic might not engage the journal’s readership. To address this, it’s essential to select journals that match your research content. At IRP, our Manuscript Editing services offer editor recommendations to guide your journal selection process, helping you understand various journal options.
2. Weak organization and repetitive descriptions, lacking insightful interpretation of findings, can significantly detract from your manuscript’s quality. Additionally, a poorly formulated research question may lead to rejection before the reviewer completes a full evaluation.
3. Ethical violations in primary research and experiments.
4. The content deviates from the title and hypothesis, straying from the original purpose.
5. Your research lacks structure, relying solely on description and essays without clear hypotheses, conclusions, or adequate literature review.
6. The findings lack novelty and are either predictable or trivial. The New York Times acknowledges that journal editors generally favour publishing groundbreaking research.
7. Methodological weaknesses and inappropriate sampling methods may undermine the integrity of the study. Additionally, employing outdated methodologies due to advancements in technology can compromise the reliability of the research findings.

IRP provides a range of English editing services tailored to meet your specific requirements. Your manuscript undergoes meticulous editing by highly trained and experienced professionals. Our expert editors refine and enhance your work, ensuring it is prepared for publication.

References

1. Pires, J. G. (2024). GOT YOUR PAPER REJECTED? DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONALLY.