Final Checklist: Is My Article Ready for Submitting to Journals?

• May 06, 2022
• 5 min read

• Tags: Academic Editing, Academic Proofreading, Journal Article, Journal Article Editing, Writing Tips

Submitting a journal article is a significant milestone for researchers and students. However, even the most groundbreaking research can face rejection if the manuscript is incomplete, poorly formatted, or does not comply with the journal’s submission guidelines. To avoid these pitfalls, it is essential to prepare a comprehensive pre-submission checklist. 

This checklist helps ensure that your manuscript is in top shape before submission, increasing its chances of being accepted and published. From manuscript quality checks to journal requirements compliance, following a structured process will ensure a smoother submission experience.

Why is a pre-submission checklist crucial?

A pre-submission checklist serves as a final quality control mechanism. It allows authors to address any details they might have overlooked and catch mistakes before their manuscript is submitted. By reviewing key elements, such as formatting, citation styles, and ethical compliance, the checklist helps you ensure that your article adheres to the journal submission guidelines. 

Also, it saves time and reduces the likelihood of receiving desk rejections, which can happen when basic requirements are not met. Ultimately, a pre-submission checklist makes your manuscript look professional and ensures it is ready for review.

Step-by-step checklist for submitting your article to a journal

To successfully publish articles online or in reputable journals, following a step-by-step checklist is essential. This checklist helps ensure that your manuscript meets the journal’s submission requirements and that it is ready for peer review.

1. Manuscript quality check

Before you submit your article for publication, it is essential to verify the quality of your manuscript. This involves a thorough evaluation of your work to make sure it is complete, error-free, and well-structured.

a. Is your manuscript complete?

Ensure that all major sections—Title, Abstract, Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion—are included. 

A complete manuscript reflects a coherent and well-organized research article that adheres to the standard journal structure. Missing sections can lead to delays in the review process or result in outright rejection.

b. Is your writing clear and error-free?

Manuscript writing should be precise, concise, and free of grammatical and typographical errors. Professional proofreading can help eliminate mistakes and ensure clarity. 

Journals are less likely to accept a submission riddled with language errors, as it can affect the credibility of your research.

c. Have you cited all sources correctly?

Adhering to the required citation style is crucial. Incorrect citations can lead to plagiarism issues and reduce the chances of your manuscript being published. 

Ensure that all references are properly formatted and check for consistency in your bibliography.

d. Have you reviewed all figures, tables, and data?

Double-check that all figures, tables, and datasets are presented clearly and correctly. Make sure that captions and labels are accurate and that all figures are referenced in the text. A thorough review of these elements ensures that your manuscript is professionally presented.

2. Compliance with journal requirements

Each journal has independent submission guidelines. Failure to comply with these can result in a desk rejection, no matter how brilliant your research might be. 

So, answer the following questions to check if your journal article is on the right track. 

a. Have you followed the journal’s submission guidelines?

It is advisable to ensure that your manuscript follows the journal submission guidelines for font type, size, margins, spacing, and required headings. Ignoring these formatting details could lead to delays or even outright rejection. Always consult the journal guide before submitting.

b. Have you written a strong abstract and title?

A compelling abstract and title are key to grabbing the editor’s attention. They should concisely summarize the main findings of your study while engaging the reader. Journal editors often make their first impression based on the abstract, so it must be well-written.

c. Have you included ethical statements?

For many journals, it is mandatory to include ethical statements, such as conflict of interest declarations, and ethics approval. 

Stating that informed consent was taken for studies involving human subjects is crucial. Make sure that all necessary ethical declarations are included to avoid complications during the review process.

3. Final checks before submission

Before hitting the ‘submit’ button, final checks are essential to ensure your manuscript is flawless.

a. Have you incorporated feedback from peers? 

Getting feedback from colleagues or peer reviewers before submission is always a good idea. Their suggestions can help you identify areas for improvement, refine your arguments, and clarify any ambiguous sections in your paper.

b. Have you checked for plagiarism? 

Plagiarism, even accidental, can result in serious consequences, including rejection and damage to your reputation. Ensure that your manuscript is original and that all sources are appropriately cited. Run your manuscript through plagiarism detection software as a precaution.

c. Are all permissions and copyrights in place? 

If your manuscript includes third-party content such as images, charts, or data, make sure you have obtained the necessary permissions and copyrights. 

Failure to do so can result in legal issues and delays in publishing. Additionally, the process of resolving these problems can feel burdensome. 

d. Is your cover letter ready? 

A well-written cover letter should accompany your journal submission. It should highlight the significance of your research and explain why it is a good fit for the journal. 

This is your opportunity to make a strong first impression on the editor, so make sure the letter is clear, concise, and professional.

Here’s a sample checklist:

A pre-submission checklist is essential if you wish to ensure that your journal article is well-prepared and meets the journal submission requirements. By systematically reviewing your manuscript for quality, adherence to guidelines, and ethical compliance, you can significantly increase the chances of your article being accepted. 

To bring you one step closer to publication success, PaperTrue offers journal editing and proofreading services. Contact our team to learn more about what our editors can do for you. 

Here are some other journal-publication-related articles you might want to check out: 

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Rashmi

Rashmi is a versatile writer with a passion for developing engaging long-form content. With a keen interest in both academic and business spheres, she enjoys creating comprehensive content pieces that readers find informative and interesting. She endeavors to exercise her intellectual curiosity, explore new perspectives, and consider different possibilities through her writing.