Professional Documents
Culture Documents
How Researchers Can Avoid Desk Rejection - THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect
How Researchers Can Avoid Desk Rejection - THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect
Early career research Funding and publishing Writing tips Feature article Asia
Cheong Fan
Macau University of Science and Technology
23 Oct 2023 0
Desk rejection rates range from 20 per cent to 50 per cent, and recent studies have proposed hypotheses regarding the underlying causes and institutional norms for papers being
rejected before they are sent for peer review. Receiving a desk-reject verdict, which is also called summary review or editorial triage, can be upsetting and frustrating for authors.
The reasons for rejection I highlight here are frequently given by peer-reviewed publications, but the advice shared is wholly based on my educational background and experiences
with tourism research. My observations are intended to help writers navigate the submission procedure and craft their submissions more effectively.
Authors should:
In your manuscript, you must cite essential works that show how your study relates to the target journal’s mission. In your cover letter to the editor, highlight how your research
relates to the journal’s readers and scope.
To avoid rejection on these grounds, the researcher should critically analyse the most recent research and relevant theories, make clear any gaps that need to be filled and provide
evidence to back up any claims they make about new additions in their work.
pay attention to the structured abstract and take advantage of the opportunity to underline the novelty and significance of their research
describe the originality and significance of their paper in the cover letter.
Although determining the originality of a piece of research is challenging and contentious, useful markers include new concepts, fresh approaches and fresh data, as well as
information that has been expanded to previously unrecognised or inconceivable dimensions. This requires us to do an effective literature review based on the past five years’
papers.
To be considered for publication, the paper must meet the criteria for quality and exhibit the highest standard of academic writing. The quality level of the manuscript will also
depend on its organisation, argument clarity, logical flow and coherence. Ask a supervisor or trusted coworker to read your manuscript before you submit it, so you can receive their
frank opinion on how to improve it. If you struggle with English, hire a native speaker to edit your work or use a reputable proofreading service.
Most journals follow the publisher's format, and papers should conform to that style.
use a text-similarity checking tool to help them spot any plagiarism, as some journals’ requirements are more strict
use professional copy editing services if you are not a native English speaker.
This article summarises contributing editors’ critical points on the reasons for desk rejection to help researchers avoid common pitfalls and so advance to the reviewer stage by
submitting a strong, cohesive paper with a clear contribution and novelty.
Cheong Fan is a lecturer at the School of Liberal Arts at the Macau University of Science and Technology.
If you would like advice and insight from academics and university staff delivered direct to your inbox each week, sign up for the Campus newsletter.
Register for free and unlock a host of features on the THE site Free sign up now
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/give-your-academic-paper-its-best-chance-being-accepted?utm_source=Live+Audience&utm_campaign=28e31e6933-briefing-dy-20231031&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b27a691814-28e31e6933-48947451 1/3