How to Deal with How to Deal with Rejection and Rejection and ResubmissionResubmission

Dr. Steve WallaceDr. Steve Wallace

OutlineOutline Every researcher gets rejected. This lecture Every researcher gets rejected. This lecture

covers covers rewriting and resubmitting a rejecterewriting and resubmitting a rejected paper.d paper.

Learn four ways reviewers know a paper Learn four ways reviewers know a paper was previously rejected.was previously rejected.

Learn how to hide signs of rejection from prLearn how to hide signs of rejection from previous journalsevious journals..

Learn how to modify your paper based on reLearn how to modify your paper based on reviewers commentsviewers comments..

Where should you submit next?Where should you submit next?

The Publication The Publication ChallengeChallenge

Consider the following statistic:Consider the following statistic: ““The chance that a typical The chance that a typical

paper of average quality will paper of average quality will get a favorable get a favorable recommendation from both recommendation from both referees is about 11% (= referees is about 11% (= 1/9).”1/9).”

- 1993 - 1993 APS OBSERVERAPS OBSERVER newsletter, a publication of the American Psychological Society. newsletter, a publication of the American Psychological Society.

Keep TryingKeep Trying

George Akerlof and eight other George Akerlof and eight other Nobel Prize winners were frequently Nobel Prize winners were frequently rejected for their fundamental rejected for their fundamental research.research.

Everyone Gets Rejected

One study showed that 62% of published papers had been rejected at least once.

In most studies, at least 50% of rejected manuscripts were published within 2 years.

Hall SA, Wilcox AJ. The fate of epidemiologic manuscripts: a study of papers submitted to Epidemiology. Epidemiology 2007; 18:262–265

Wager E. Getting research published. Oxon, UK: Radcliffe Publishing Ltd, 2005

Do Not Waste Time on Do Not Waste Time on Dead or Dying TopicsDead or Dying Topics

If your most recent references are ten years If your most recent references are ten years old, it is a dead issue. old, it is a dead issue.

If the most recent references closely related If the most recent references closely related to your paper are 5 years old, it is a dying to your paper are 5 years old, it is a dying issue. issue.

It is difficult for the editor to find suitable It is difficult for the editor to find suitable referees for outdated topics. referees for outdated topics.

Your inability to find enough references Your inability to find enough references indicates: indicates: You have not read the literature. You have not read the literature. Others are not interested in the topic, so, it is Others are not interested in the topic, so, it is

unlikely to be published. unlikely to be published.

How to Identify “Hot How to Identify “Hot Topics”Topics”

Read the literature, particularly Read the literature, particularly top-tier top-tier journalsjournals, to identify “hot” areas and “new , to identify “hot” areas and “new problems”.problems”.

Read Read letters to the editorletters to the editor to see conversations to see conversations in your field.in your field.

Look for controversies and unexplained Look for controversies and unexplained findings.findings.

Look for Look for “cross-overs”“cross-overs” from other fields of from other fields of research; for example, new methods that might research; for example, new methods that might be connected to old problems.be connected to old problems.

Do Do keyword database searcheskeyword database searches to see volume to see volume and impact of recent research in an area.and impact of recent research in an area.

Attend Attend international conferencesinternational conferences..

Send the Send the PPaper aper BBack outack out Submit the paper to another journal within one moSubmit the paper to another journal within one mo

nth. nth. You do not have to revise a paper every time it is reYou do not have to revise a paper every time it is re

jected. But if a paper is rejected 4 times, there is a sjected. But if a paper is rejected 4 times, there is a serious flaw in the paper. Find and fix the problem. erious flaw in the paper. Find and fix the problem.

Some initially address four envelopes to different jSome initially address four envelopes to different journalsournals

Why? The same referee might get it again. Why? The same referee might get it again. Roberts ,W. Revising manuscripts after studying reviewers’ comments. Am J Cardiol 2006;

98:989–989 Williams HC. How to reply to referees’ comments when submitting manuscripts for publication.

J Am Acad Dermatol 2004; 51:79–83 http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/135/2/573.full.html

Eliminate Any Trace of Prior Eliminate Any Trace of Prior RejectionsRejections

Do not show when the paper was first wrDo not show when the paper was first written itten or or how many times the paper hahow many times the paper has been revised. s been revised.

Document property check Document property check New referencesNew references New page one referencesNew page one references

Delete or Hide References to Delete or Hide References to Undesirable or Rejecting RefereesUndesirable or Rejecting Referees

You can guess the identity of the reviewers froYou can guess the identity of the reviewers from the reviewersm the reviewers’’ comments because of refere comments because of references and writing style. nces and writing style.

Editors select reviewers from your references. Editors select reviewers from your references. If some reviewers always recommend rejectioIf some reviewers always recommend rejection of your papers, drop their papers from your n of your papers, drop their papers from your references (the first time you submit). You can references (the first time you submit). You can add them later (after the paper is accepted). Yoadd them later (after the paper is accepted). You can also put them into the body of the paper u can also put them into the body of the paper where they are harder to findwhere they are harder to find..

This may require rewriting the introduction This may require rewriting the introduction fromfrom a different perspective a different perspective..

Waiting for the Journal’s Waiting for the Journal’s DecisionDecision

Causes of quick rejection:Causes of quick rejection: Back-logBack-log Previous paper on subjectPrevious paper on subject Editor doesn’t like topic or styleEditor doesn’t like topic or style

Wager , E. Getting research published. Oxon, UK: Radcliffe Publishing Ltd, 2005

Liesegang TJ, Shaikh M, Crook JE. The outcome of manuscripts submitted to the American Journal of Ophthalmology between 2002 and 2003. Am J Ophthalmol 2007; 143:551–560

McDonald RJ, Cloft HJ, Kallmes DF. Fate of submitted manuscripts rejected from the American Journal of Neuroradiology: outcomes and commentary. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2007; 28:1430–1434

When Should You Start When Should You Start Contacting the Editor?Contacting the Editor?

After three months, once a monthAfter three months, once a month Four months, twice a monthFour months, twice a month Six months, every day!Six months, every day! The longer the review takes, the less chance The longer the review takes, the less chance

you have of getting published (reviewers may you have of getting published (reviewers may be negative)be negative)

Could indicate internal fighting in journalCould indicate internal fighting in journal You may want to consider withdrawing to You may want to consider withdrawing to

another journalanother journal Editor’s feedback is key in making this decisionEditor’s feedback is key in making this decision

Reminder Email to Reminder Email to EditorEditor

““I’m just emailing to inquire about I’m just emailing to inquire about the status of my article titled______, the status of my article titled______, which I submitted to your journal on which I submitted to your journal on ( date ).”( date ).”

Don’t get angrier over time, just Don’t get angrier over time, just keep sending the same e-mail more keep sending the same e-mail more often.often.

Sometimes editors appreciate the Sometimes editors appreciate the reminder.reminder.

Emotions on Rejected Emotions on Rejected PaperPaper

1) Depression1) Depression 2) Anger at editor2) Anger at editor 3) Anger at system3) Anger at system 4) Considering changing job4) Considering changing job 5) Reviewing manuscripts and 5) Reviewing manuscripts and

deciding the reviewers had valid deciding the reviewers had valid pointspoints

Types of Journal Types of Journal AcceptanceAcceptance

Pure acceptPure accept: almost never happens.: almost never happens. Revise minor problems and resubmitRevise minor problems and resubmit: signs : signs

of this are the editor mentioning a certain date of this are the editor mentioning a certain date for publication, adding references, developing for publication, adding references, developing conclusion, or defining terms.conclusion, or defining terms.

Revise major problems and resubmitRevise major problems and resubmit: : chance of acceptance 50%. Sometimes will go chance of acceptance 50%. Sometimes will go back to reviewers, sometimes to editor. back to reviewers, sometimes to editor.

Rejected but can resubmitRejected but can resubmit RejectedRejected Rejected by editorRejected by editor

Editor’s Letter for a Editor’s Letter for a Major RevisionMajor Revision

““Enclosed please find the reviewers’ report on your Enclosed please find the reviewers’ report on your paper. One reviewer has minor recommendations for paper. One reviewer has minor recommendations for revision, the other has fairly substantial revision, the other has fairly substantial recommendations. Although their reports are very recommendations. Although their reports are very positive about your paper, they also include helpful positive about your paper, they also include helpful suggestions for improving the paper, especially suggestions for improving the paper, especially regarding______. Because of the reviewers concerns, I regarding______. Because of the reviewers concerns, I cannot accept the paper in its present form. I can offer, cannot accept the paper in its present form. I can offer, however, to send a revised version of the paper back to however, to send a revised version of the paper back to the second reviewer, should you wish to rework your the second reviewer, should you wish to rework your argument substantially in line with these reports and argument substantially in line with these reports and resubmit the paper to us. I am sorry to have to convey resubmit the paper to us. I am sorry to have to convey what I know will be disappointing news, but I do feel what I know will be disappointing news, but I do feel strongly that with careful revision this essay could be strongly that with careful revision this essay could be accepted for publication in our journal.”accepted for publication in our journal.”

Editor’s Letter for Major Editor’s Letter for Major RevisionRevision

I am sorry to have to return your I am sorry to have to return your manuscript because it falls outside our manuscript because it falls outside our guidelines. However, we would like to guidelines. However, we would like to invite you to resubmit your article. In invite you to resubmit your article. In order to conform to our guidelines, you order to conform to our guidelines, you would need to be formulate your article to would need to be formulate your article to clarify your thesis and re-situate the piece clarify your thesis and re-situate the piece within a more scholarly background. within a more scholarly background. Thank you for considering our journal and Thank you for considering our journal and we look forward to hearing from you.we look forward to hearing from you.

Major RevisionMajor Revision Enclosed please find the reviewers reports Enclosed please find the reviewers reports

on your paper. They agree that you have a on your paper. They agree that you have a very promising idea, but that serious very promising idea, but that serious revision is necessary. In particular, they revision is necessary. In particular, they would like to see_______. Given their would like to see_______. Given their concerns, I cannot accept the paper for concerns, I cannot accept the paper for publication publication in its current formin its current form. Should you . Should you feel able to address our concerns and feel able to address our concerns and submit a substantially revised version of submit a substantially revised version of the paper, I would be glad to ask the the paper, I would be glad to ask the reviewers to read the paper again.reviewers to read the paper again.

Rejected but can Rejected but can ResubmitResubmit

Comes with reviewer commentsComes with reviewer comments Editor may say it will be treated as a Editor may say it will be treated as a

new submissionnew submission Editor’s letter can be difficult to decodeEditor’s letter can be difficult to decode Editors don’t really expect to see your Editors don’t really expect to see your

paper againpaper again Maybe they are just being politeMaybe they are just being polite If reviewer comments are helpful, you If reviewer comments are helpful, you

may consider resubmissionmay consider resubmission

Editor Language in a “Conditional Rejection”

“Unacceptable in its current form” “Will require major revisions” “Would be more suitable as a brief report” “This paper, while of interest, needs to be

completely restructured” “The reviewers have raised serious

concerns that need to be addressed” “Manuscript would need to be revised to

comply with the requirements of our journal”

Rejected but can Rejected but can ResubmitResubmit

““Given the reviewers’ reports, we Given the reviewers’ reports, we cannot accept your paper for cannot accept your paper for publication. Should you choose to publication. Should you choose to revise the paper thoroughly revise the paper thoroughly according to the reviewers’ according to the reviewers’ substantial recommendations and substantial recommendations and submit it again to us, we will send it submit it again to us, we will send it to new reviewers.”to new reviewers.”

Rejected but can Rejected but can ResubmitResubmit

““Although the reviewers thought the Although the reviewers thought the article was strong, they have noted article was strong, they have noted some serious flaws that must be some serious flaws that must be addressed before the addressed before the article is article is publishablepublishable. Please see the attached . Please see the attached for the reviewers’ suggestions.”for the reviewers’ suggestions.”

Rejected but Can Rejected but Can ResubmitResubmit

I regret to inform you that our reviewers have considered your paper but, unfortunately, feel it unsuitable for publication in the Journal of _______. For your information, I attached the reviewer comments at the bottom of this email. I hope you will find them to be constructive and helpful. You are, of course, now free to submit the paper elsewhere should you choose to do so. You can also resubmit your manuscript to this journal after major revisions. If you decide to do so, please clearly identify the revisions in your cover letter.

Thank you for considering Journal of _____. I hope the outcome of this specific submission will not discourage you from submitting future manuscripts.

Editor Language for a Rejection

“Submit to another journal” “Unsuitable for our readership” “Insufficient priority at this time” “Relevant to a more specialized audience” “Although of interest to our readers,

fundamental flaws in the study design preclude publication”

“We do not accept unsolicited review articles”

Editor Language for a Rejection

““Is not publishable”Is not publishable” ““Is not ready for publication”Is not ready for publication” ““Cannot be published at this time”Cannot be published at this time” ““Does not meet our standards for Does not meet our standards for

publication”publication” ““Is not right for us”Is not right for us”

Initial positive language is not a sign Initial positive language is not a sign of a second chanceof a second chance

RejectReject

““I’m sorry to return your article, but I’m sorry to return your article, but our submission guidelines require our submission guidelines require that articles reveal something new that articles reveal something new and demonstrate a thorough grasp and demonstrate a thorough grasp of previous criticism on the topic. of previous criticism on the topic. Your submission lacks this Your submission lacks this dimension and, therefore, we cannot dimension and, therefore, we cannot consider it further at this time.”consider it further at this time.”

RejectReject

““Thank you for offering us your Thank you for offering us your manuscript. We have read it with manuscript. We have read it with interest but regret that we cannot interest but regret that we cannot accept it for publication. We hope accept it for publication. We hope that the attached reader report that the attached reader report provides helpful advice as you revise provides helpful advice as you revise your paper for publication in another your paper for publication in another journal.”journal.”

Rejected by EditorRejected by Editor

““Good luck” or “Best of luck”Good luck” or “Best of luck” No peer reviewNo peer review Very fastVery fast Reasons: backlog, too many articles Reasons: backlog, too many articles

on topic, reviewers report too hostileon topic, reviewers report too hostile Don’t ask for report, just move on to Don’t ask for report, just move on to

plan B.plan B.

Everyone Gets RejectedEveryone Gets Rejected

Your options:Your options: Abandon the article.Abandon the article. Send the article with no changes to Send the article with no changes to

another journal.another journal. Revise the article and send it to Revise the article and send it to

another journal.another journal. Protest the decision and try to Protest the decision and try to

resubmit the article to the rejecting resubmit the article to the rejecting journal.journal.

Avoid Journals that ConsistentlyAvoid Journals that Consistently Reject Your Papers Reject Your Papers

Temporarily avoid journals that always Temporarily avoid journals that always reject you.reject you.

The editor remembers bad comments The editor remembers bad comments about your papers. about your papers.

Wait until a new editor is appointed. Wait until a new editor is appointed. If you think there is prejudice on the basis If you think there is prejudice on the basis

of sex, race, or nationality, you may use of sex, race, or nationality, you may use initials instead of spelling out your first initials instead of spelling out your first and middle names. and middle names.

First and middle names, as well as last First and middle names, as well as last name, often reveal the sex, race, or name, often reveal the sex, race, or nationality of the authors.nationality of the authors.

You may write your full name after the You may write your full name after the paper is accepted. paper is accepted.

For More InformationFor More Information

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