These guidelines are relevant to all of our journals. Make sure that you check your chosen journal’s web pages for specific guidelines too.
An article might be rejected for a lot of different reasons, including if the subject makes it better suited to another journal. If this is the case, a transfer might be recommended.
Following peer review, hopefully your article will be accepted for publication (usually subject to some revisions).
Revisions are a natural part of the publication process – generally all authors will be asked to make at least a few changes, to make sure that the article is of the highest possible quality.
Guidance for revising your article
✓
Do:
- Keep to any deadlines given, or ask for an extension if you need one
- Read each report carefully, and ask if anything is unclear
- Make sure that you address all reviewer comments, and if you have decided not to make a change, explain why
- Remember that reviewing is voluntary, and that the reviewer will have made all comments to help improve your work
✕
Avoid:
- Including personal comments about the reviewer – focus on making direct responses
- Taking critical comments personally – they are provided to increase the quality of your article