A journal rejecting a submission is an unfortunate reality in the life of an academician.

This is especially true for young scholars who rightly feel dejected given the hard work and high expectations hinged in their submissions. However, a journal rejection is not the end of the world and there are still various options before a young scholar, depending on the exact type of rejection. Here are some quick tips on how to react to a journal rejection.

What type of rejection:

Read the communication carefully to understand what type or stage of rejection has been made by the journal. In some cases, rejections are desk rejections, where the editors reject an article in the first stage of sorting. This may be due to poorly written or structured articles, failure to follow formatting instructions of the journals, lack of proper English, improper referencing, etc. These can be easily rectified and you can share it back after revision with the same journal.

Poor fit with the journal:

Often journals reject articles because it does not fit their exact focus area or the interests of its readership. In such cases, you may either try to rework the research paper, but perhaps it makes more sense to try some other journal perhaps better suited for your research paper. Sometimes, journals also suggest ‘insignificant advancement to current knowledge’ as a reason, which basically means your article is not adding much value to the present discourse. This is where you have to think about how to improve upon your work to make it more relevant.

Reviewer Comments:

Reviewers often share detailed comments and suggest resubmission post revision. This is not a total rejection but an ask to improve upon your paper. You can revise your research paper and resubmit it with a detailed response to the review comments.

Technical issues:

Sometimes journals reject submissions because of technical factors. There may be complaints of plagiarism, insufficient data work, reviewers finding flaws with the methodology or data collection, challenges to the hypothesis, etc. For plagiarism, often unintentional due to improper referencing, it is best to engage professional editorial help for a plagiarism proof manuscript.

Critiques of data work, methodology, etc are serious concerns that require not just a relook at the research paper but the entire research exercise. In such a case, you may either choose to revisit your entire work, or you may choose to share a revised version with some other journal, as the one who has rejected it on these grounds is unlikely to entertain even a revised version.

Change journals:

This is always an option, often a tempting one, especially an emotional one in wake of rejection. except for some specific reasons, trying to resubmit to a new journal means only going through the entire submission process all over again. This means delays as well as extra work. Therefore, such a decision, if taken, must be done judiciously considering all factors of rejection.

 1. Understand the Reasons for Rejection

Before taking any action, it’s essential to understand why your paper was rejected. Journals usually provide specific feedback or a summary of the reasons behind their decision. These reasons could fall into two main categories:

– Technical/Formatting Issues: Problems with manuscript structure, citation formatting, or adherence to journal guidelines.

– Content Issues: Concerns about the novelty, relevance, or clarity of your research. Take a close look at the editor’s and reviewers’ comments. Are there specific suggestions for improving your paper? Understanding these issues will help you refine your manuscript for resubmission or submission to another journal.

 2. Revise Your Paper Thoroughly

Once you’ve understood the reasons for rejection, it’s time to revise. Here are some key aspects to focus on when revising your research paper:

– Address Reviewer Comments: Tackle each comment, especially if there are technical or clarity concerns. Provide additional data if needed or rewrite sections that were unclear.

– Improve the Structure: Ensure your paper follows a clear, logical flow. Check that your introduction, methodology, results, and conclusion are well-organized.

– Strengthen the Discussion: Reiterate how your findings contribute to the existing body of knowledge. Make sure your argument is compelling and directly addresses the research question.

– Check Formatting and Guidelines: Verify that your paper adheres to the submission guidelines of your target journal, including citation style, word count, and other technical aspects.

 3. Choose the Right Journal for Resubmission

If your paper was rejected due to a mismatch in the journal’s focus, it might be time to explore other journals that align more closely with your research. Here’s how you can find a suitable journal for resubmission:

– Consider Journal Scope: Ensure that the journal’s scope matches your research topic. Many rejections happen because the paper doesn’t align with the journal’s focus areas.

– Assess Impact Factor: If you’re aiming for a high-impact journal, consider submitting to one with a similar but slightly lower impact factor. This can increase your chances of acceptance.

– Open Access Journals: Consider publishing in open access journals for broader visibility. These journals make your research accessible to a wider audience and may also have a faster review process.

 4. Seek Professional Editing Services

If language barriers, grammar, or manuscript clarity were among the reasons for rejection, seeking professional help might be a worthwhile investment. An experienced editor can ensure that your research is presented in the best possible way, both in terms of structure and clarity.

– Substantive Editing: This goes beyond proofreading and focuses on improving the overall flow, logic, and organization of your paper.

– Proofreading: A final review for grammar, punctuation, and typographical errors can make a big difference, ensuring your manuscript looks polished and professional.

– Formatting Assistance: Get help with citation styles and journal formatting guidelines to ensure everything is in perfect order.

 5. Learn from the Rejection and Keep Going

Rejection is part of the academic publishing journey. Use this experience as a learning opportunity. Some of the most groundbreaking research papers faced multiple rejections before being published. Here are some tips to stay motivated:

– Keep Improving: Every rejection provides feedback for improvement. Use these insights to refine not only your paper but also your research approach.

– Stay Persistent: It’s important not to give up. If one journal rejects your paper, try submitting to another journal after revising.

– Seek Feedback from Peers: Sometimes an external perspective can be incredibly valuable. Ask colleagues or mentors for feedback on your revised manuscript before resubmission.

 6. Consider Alternative Forms of Publication

If traditional journals are proving too difficult to break into, consider alternative forms of publishing your research:

– Preprint Servers: Preprints allow you to share your findings with the research community quickly while awaiting formal peer review.

– Conference Papers: Presenting your research at academic conferences can also give your work visibility and provide useful feedback for future publication.

Rejection is Not the End

A rejection from your target journal doesn’t mark the end of your research journey. With careful revisions, a fresh journal selection, and possibly the help of professional editing services, your research can find its place in the academic world. Stay determined, learn from feedback, and keep refining your work—you’re one step closer to publication success!