Why Your Research Paper Keeps Getting Rejected
Getting featured in reputable journals is a career-changing achievement, so it's not always easy. In fact, many research papers get rejected by journal editors, especially reputable journals. For example, Nature, one of the most prestigious scientific journals, has an acceptance of rate of just 8%.
Keep in mind that some journals have higher rejection rates than others, depending on their prestige, scope, and standards. Rejection rates also vary depending on the type of paper, such as review articles, original research articles, or letters.
In this article, we will explore some of the common causes of research paper rejection and how to avoid them.
What Is Research Paper Rejection?
According to European Science Editing, the average rejection rate of research papers across different disciplines is 80%. Research paper rejection is the process of rejecting a submitted manuscript by a journal editor or reviewer based on its quality, relevance, originality, or other criteria.
Research paper rejection can happen at any stage of the publication process, from initial screening to peer review to editorial decision. Getting a research paper rejection can be frustrating and discouraging, especially after investing so much time and effort into your research and manuscript.
So, here is how to avoid getting rejected and having your manuscript published in prestigious journals:?
Reasons for Research Paper Rejection
Weak Research
This means that your study has some flaws that undermine its validity or reliability. For example, you may have used an inappropriate sample size, a biased sampling method, a faulty measurement instrument, or a wrong statistical test.?
To avoid this, carefully design your study, follow ethical guidelines, and use appropriate methods and tools for data collection and analysis. Also, keep in mind that there are so many other researchers out there. This makes publications fiercely competitive- you have to do something exceptional for your manuscript to be accepted.
Poor Writing
If your paper has language, style, or structure flaws that make it difficult to read or understand, your manuscript will most likely be rejected. For example, grammatical or spelling errors, unclear sentences, or illogical arguments.
Ensure you proofread your paper, use simple and precise words, write in active sentences, and organize your paper according to the journal's guidelines.? You could also get a professional manuscript review. Using a manuscript review service like PublishIT gives you access to a team of experts across different fields.
These reviewers have extensive experience in helping researchers convert their manuscripts to journals; they would easily spot errors that you would otherwise overlook.
If your manuscript has been rejected before, you could get help rewriting it. This would ensure it’s well-written and your findings are presented in a fascinating way to capture the editor’s interest.
Originality
If your paper does not add anything new or significant to the existing knowledge in your field. For example, you may have repeated a well-known finding, used an outdated theoretical framework, or failed to address a research gap.?
Make sure you conduct a thorough literature review, identify a novel research question or hypothesis, and demonstrate how your study advances the field.
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Journal Irrelevance
This means that your paper does not fit the scope, aim, or audience of the journal to which you are submitting it. For example, you may have chosen a journal that is too general or too specialized for your topic, or a journal that has a different focus or perspective than yours.
Chances of getting featured in a journal that’s not specific to your research are pretty slim. So, carefully select a journal that matches your research area, purpose, and approach.
Lengthy Manuscript
Most journals have a word limit, if you decide to give too much background information, unnecessary details, or redundant data, there’s a high probability of getting rejected.
Ensure you follow the journal's instructions on word count and formatting, and edit your paper to remove any irrelevant or repetitive content.
How to Avoid Research Paper Rejection
Do Your Research
Don't just write what you think or feel. You need to have solid evidence to back up your claims. Use the appropriate methods, sample sizes, and statistical tests for your research question.
Get Feedback
?Don't submit your research paper without getting some feedback first. Ask colleagues, mentors, or a professional thesis or dissertation review service to assess your research paper and give you constructive criticism. They would likely spot errors, inconsistencies, or gaps in your research paper that you missed.
Use a Manuscript Review/Rewriting Service
If you want to improve your chances of getting published, you may consider using a professional service that can review and rewrite your research paper. They can help you with grammar, spelling, punctuation, clarity, structure, and style. They can also help you tailor your research paper to the specific journal that you are targeting.
Be patient
Don't expect to get your research paper published on the first try, especially if you’re in a competitive field. It may take several submissions before you get accepted.?
If you get rejected, it's okay to take some time off to brush up on your skills and your research paper. But don't give up on it. It might take some time, but it'll be worth it eventually.
The Bottom Line
There are a lot of reasons why research papers get rejected. But following this guide gives you a higher chance of getting published in prestigious journals!
Also, getting your research paper rejected can be frustrating, and happens very often, but it’s not impossible. Don't give up, it may take time, but it is worth it.