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You’ve spent weeks (or months) on your research paper. You’re ready to submit.
Before you click “Submit”, stop for a second.
Have you actually double-checked everything?
It’s easy for researchers to rush through submission procedures and miss a few crucial steps. These slips can cause delays, revisions, or even rejection.
This 13-step manuscript submission checklist will save you from errors and increase your chances of publication.
Table of Contents
1. Is Your Author Information Complete?
List all authors with their full names, email addresses, and affiliations.
Ensure that the corresponding author is indicated.
Double-check for spelling or missing information—it’s a frequent cause of revisions.
2. Are You Using the Correct Keywords?
Select 5–8 powerful keywords that fit your subject and research field.
Keywords assist journals in indexing your article and enhancing search engine visibility.
Employ a combination of general and specific keywords associated with your research.
3. Did You Provide the Word Count and a Plain Language Summary?
Most journals request a word count total, with or without references.
A plain language summary describes your research in simple words for readers beyond your field.
This facilitates marketing your research to a broader audience.
4. Have You Made Author Contributions?
Most journals now use the CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy) system.
Clearly mention who did the writing, data analysis, experiments, supervision, etc.
This creates transparency and accountability.
5. Did You Make Disclosures and Ethical Statements?
State any funding sources, conflicts of interest, or ethical approvals (particularly for human or animal studies).
If there are none, state, “No conflicts of interest to declare.”
Check the journal’s policy to prevent rejection.
6. Is Your Manuscript Organized Properly (IMRaD or Similar)?
Apply the standard format:
Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion (IMRaD).
Certain journals might ask for additional sections such as Limitations, Conclusion, or Future Work.
Consult the journal guidelines for detailed structure and headings.
7. Is the Manuscript Grammatically correct and coherent?
This is commonly neglected but highly crucial.
Even good research may be rejected due to poor language.
Utilize editing tools such as Grammarly, or get a professional editor.
Keep it formal, crisp, and scientific in tone.
8. Are Your Tables and Figures Well Formatted?
Tables and figures should be:
- Labeled and numbered clearly
- Referred to in the text in sequence
- In the correct file format (usually JPG, TIFF, PNG, or PDF)
- Include legends and captions for readability.
- Adhere to the journal’s formatting guidelines precisely.
9. Have You Verified the Length of Each Section?
- Journals tend to have stringent word counts for abstract, main text, and references.
- Review if your sections are too long or too short.
- Be concise—edit without losing meaning.
10. Is Your Reference List Complete and Current?
- All references correspond to in-text citations.
- You’ve applied the correct style (APA, MLA, Vancouver, etc.)
- You’ve got the most recent studies in your area.
Reference tools such as Zotero, EndNote, or Mendeley can assist with proper formatting.
11. Did You Avoid Copyright or Branding Pitfalls?
- Avoid using third-party images, logos, or charts without permission.
- Avoid using brand names unless absolutely necessary (use generic equivalents instead).
Ensure that your content does not infringe any copyright law.
12. Are All Submission Files Uploaded and Named Properly?
- Main manuscript (without author information)
- Title page
- Figures and tables (separate files)
- Cover letter
- Supplementary materials (if any)
Use descriptive file names such as Manuscript_Final.docx, Figure1.png, etc.
Double-check the submission format on the portal.
13. Have You Checked the Submission Portal Properly?
Before clicking submit:
- Preview all uploaded files.
- Check the file order and format.
- Make sure all necessary fields are completed.
- Save a copy of the final submission for your records.
Missing one little step here can slow down your review process.
Ask an Expert
Doubt your manuscript is polished?
[Order a Pre-Submission Peer Review Today]
Get expert feedback on structure, grammar, and formatting before sending your paper to a journal.
Final Remarks
Publishing a research paper involves more than typing—it is the process.
These 13 steps guarantee each paper is complete, professional, and ready to enter peer review.
Use this manuscript submission checklist to prevent common formatting errors, author issues, and structural problems.
With preparation, you can increase your possibilities of acceptance and prevent unnecessary rework.
Be confident, submit intelligently, and publish with success!
