When you finished writing your research paper, it is time to submit it for a journal. After a while, the journal would answer to you, which can be “accepted”, “needs proofreading”, or “rejected”. No one likes to get a “rejected” answer. To avoid getting such an answer, you need to know the most common reasons for paper rejection.

As you know, one of our services is to get your papers published. Due to every day corresponding with editors, we are aware of the most important reasons for rejecting a paper which you can read of in this post.

The paper does not fall into the journal’s scope

The area of your research reflects in the paper’s title which is the first thing can be seen.

On the other hand, each journal is dedicated to a specific area and only publishes papers with the same scope. So it is weird if the editors reject papers which cannot cover that scope.

To avoid this kind of rejection, search for journals with the same scope of your paper and submit the research paper to them.

The paper is poorly written

When the editor starts reading a paper, he needs to understand the language. A paper full of jargons, grammatical errors, and with problems in words usage if is not impossible, will be hard to understand.

To avoid this problem, make use of dictionaries, pay attention to the fixed phrases used in other papers and books, or structure of sentences and try to apply them in your own paper. Furthermore, be clear, use simple grammar, and explain every concept enough so that the reader can understand exactly what you mean.

The paper lacks of novelty

The main aim of conducting research which leads to writing a research paper, is to find out something new that the other researchers have not deal with before.

To do so, you have to read lots of papers and search on the subject you have chosen. Find the gap in them. Most of the papers offer something for more researches in the conclusion section. You can refer to them. Prove that there was a gap and you were trying to fill that gap in your research.

A paper lacks in novelty would be boring which is a paper rejection reason itself.

Design or analysis flaws

The design of research is the base of it and any problems in the base of something causes in wrong conclusions. The choice of research design should be accurate and strongly supported. You can read more on this in “How to write chapter 3”.

Furthermore, the analysis of a study has the same effect on a paper conclusion. As you know research with a wrong conclusion is of no value.

The content of the paper is not convincing

Having problems in the evidence, methods, analyses, results, and conclusion is the other common reason for paper rejection.

You need to follow the rules of writing a paper. We have discussed each section of a research paper separately. Generally, your evidence for the gap, the chosen methods and questionnaires applied, the way you analyzed the data, and the conclusion should be convincing.

In scientific research, everything should be logical and makes sense. In addition to the content of the paper, the way the content is proposed should also follow a logical way.

Ethical issues in research

Research ethical issues is a most paper rejection reason too, which can be of several types:

• Plagiarism which is copying one or more sentence/s from other sources without citing them.
• Submitting a paper in more than one journal or submitting a paper which has been published or presented in a congress.
• Hurting people, animals, environment, etc. in the research process.

Any ethical issue definitely results in paper rejection.

Questions and Answers about “Common Reasons for Paper Rejection”

1. What are some common reasons for paper rejection in academic journals?
Several factors can lead to the rejection of a paper. Some of the most common reasons include:

• Poor quality of writing: Papers that are poorly written, unclear, or disorganized often get rejected.
• Insufficient novelty or contribution: Papers that do not present new insights, ideas, or data that contribute to the field may be rejected.
• Lack of alignment with the journal’s scope: Submitting a paper that does not fit the scope or focus of the journal is a common cause of rejection.
• Weak methodology: Papers with flawed research methods or data analysis may be rejected due to credibility concerns.
• Inadequate literature review: A paper that does not sufficiently engage with existing literature may be seen as lacking a strong theoretical foundation.
• Failure to follow submission guidelines: Ignoring formatting, citation style, or submission guidelines can lead to rejection.
• Insufficient data or evidence: Papers that lack sufficient data or empirical evidence to support their claims are often rejected.
• Ethical issues: Plagiarism, data fabrication, or unethical research practices can result in immediate rejection.

2. Why is poor quality writing a common reason for paper rejection?
Poor quality writing can lead to rejection because it hampers the clarity and impact of the research. If reviewers or editors cannot easily understand the paper, they may conclude that the paper is not suitable for publication. Writing should be clear, concise, and well-organized to ensure that the research findings are communicated effectively to the target audience.

3. How important is novelty in determining whether a paper is accepted or rejected?
Novelty is one of the most important factors in determining whether a paper is accepted. Journals aim to publish original research that advances knowledge in the field. If a paper does not present new ideas, theories, or data, it may be deemed redundant or unimportant, leading to rejection. Authors should emphasize the novel aspects of their work to make it stand out.

4. What happens if a paper is not aligned with the journal’s scope?
If a paper does not align with the journal’s scope, it is likely to be rejected. Each journal has specific subject areas it focuses on, and submitting a paper outside these boundaries can result in an immediate rejection. It is crucial to carefully review the journal’s aims and scope before submitting to ensure that the paper is a good fit.

5. Why can a weak methodology lead to paper rejection?
A weak or flawed methodology can lead to rejection because it undermines the validity and reliability of the research findings. Reviewers expect clear, well-structured, and appropriate methods to be used for data collection and analysis. If the methodology is inadequately designed or poorly executed, it can render the results inconclusive or unreliable, which is grounds for rejection.

6. How does an inadequate literature review contribute to paper rejection?
An inadequate literature review can contribute to rejection by demonstrating a lack of engagement with existing research. Journals expect authors to show a comprehensive understanding of the field by referencing relevant studies and identifying gaps in the literature. A weak literature review can suggest that the research lacks a solid theoretical foundation or does not add significantly to the current body of knowledge.

7. Why is following submission guidelines important for paper acceptance?
Submission guidelines are important because they ensure consistency and professionalism in the review process. Journals often have strict formatting, citation style, and length requirements. Failure to adhere to these guidelines can result in a paper being rejected before it even reaches the reviewers, as it can be seen as careless or unprofessional.

8. How does insufficient data or evidence impact the likelihood of paper acceptance?
Insufficient data or evidence weakens the paper’s credibility and undermines its contribution to the field. Journals expect authors to provide robust data or clear arguments to support their claims. If a paper lacks enough evidence to substantiate its conclusions, it is unlikely to be accepted for publication. It is essential to back up any claims with sufficient empirical or theoretical support.

9. What ethical issues could cause a paper to be rejected?
Ethical issues such as plagiarism, data manipulation, or failure to obtain proper consent for research participants can result in the immediate rejection of a paper. Journals and publishers take ethical violations seriously, and any sign of unethical conduct during the research or publication process can lead to rejection and even reputational damage for the authors.

10. Can a paper be rejected due to the choice of research topic?
Yes, a paper can be rejected if the research topic is deemed irrelevant or unimportant to the journal’s target audience. Journals typically focus on specific themes or areas of research, so if the topic does not fit within the journal’s interests or the current academic trends, it may be rejected.

11. What should authors do to avoid rejection based on insufficient data or evidence?
To avoid rejection due to insufficient data, authors should ensure that their research is well-supported with appropriate and comprehensive data. This may involve providing detailed descriptions of the research methodology, presenting clear and precise results, and ensuring that the conclusions are drawn based on solid evidence.

12. Can submitting a paper to multiple journals result in rejection?
Yes, submitting a paper to multiple journals simultaneously is often against academic publishing ethics and can result in rejection. Many journals have policies that prohibit simultaneous submissions, and violating this policy can lead to the paper being rejected or even blacklisted. Authors should submit to one journal at a time and withdraw their submission if they wish to submit elsewhere.

13. How can authors improve their chances of acceptance?
Authors can improve their chances of acceptance by:

• Ensuring the paper is well-written and free of grammatical errors.
• Presenting original, novel, and significant contributions to the field.
• Following the journal’s submission guidelines and ensuring proper formatting.
• Providing a comprehensive and well-supported literature review.
• Using a robust and appropriate research methodology.
• Demonstrating a clear and logical structure in the paper.