What to Do When Your Paper Gets Rejected

Rejection is common in academic publishing. Take a short break, read the decision carefully, learn from the comments, improve the manuscript and submit to a better-matched journal. Do not submit the same version simultaneously to several journals.

First steps

1. Read the decision and reviews (if any). Was it a desk rejection (scope, priority) or after review (methodological concerns)?
2. Separate fixable from unfixable issues: missing information and unclear writing can be fixed; a fundamental design limit may not.
3. Decide whether an appeal is reasonable. Appeals are usually only successful when there was a clear error or misunderstanding; follow the journal's policy and be courteous.

Improving the paper

• Address valid reviewer comments before resubmitting; the next journal may use the same or overlapping reviewers.
• Re-check the abstract, conclusion and limitations.
• Re-run the reporting checklist.

Choosing the next journal

Re-use your shortlist (see How to Choose the Right Medical Journal). A journal's scope and article-type fit matter more than a slightly higher impact factor. Update the cover letter and format to the new journal's requirements.

Transfer offers

Some publishers offer to transfer a manuscript with its reviews to another of their journals; consider it, but check the journal's quality and fees.

Illustrative example

Invented for teaching. A paper rejected for "limited novelty" is improved by adding a sensitivity analysis suggested by a reviewer and by narrowing the claim. It is accepted by a specialty journal after a minor revision.

Common pitfalls

• Submitting an unchanged manuscript elsewhere.
• Sending an angry reply to the editor.

Key takeaways

• Rejection is normal and often useful feedback.
• Improve, re-target and resubmit.

This page is general educational information about research methods. It is not medical, legal or regulatory advice; follow your institution's ethics board and your target journal's instructions.