Why was my article rejected?
Even if your article passes the technical screening stage, you still have something to worry about. Peer reviewers will evaluate your article to make sure you meet the standards of Elsevier journals. It is up to the peer reviewers to identify and review content issues. Some common problems that can lead to the rejection of your article are listed below:
- Your article is incomplete
It should not be confused with incomplete technical elements. If a paper ignores important works related to its field, it may still be considered incomplete. A study that includes only observations also falls into this category.
- Problems in research methods
If the reviewers find problems in data collection or analysis methods, it can be a strong basis for rejecting an article. Use an empirical and reliable research method to avoid this type of rejection. Make sure you have control groups and that your research can be replicated by others.
- Research does not support your conclusion
Even the best research method in the world cannot support a conclusion that has changed a lot. There should be a strong relationship between your research findings and the conclusions as to what they mean.
- Lack of novelty in the work
Your work may be similar to many of the works that already exist without new conclusions. It may also seem like an appendix to a work you have done before. Elsevier journals intend to publish new and interesting works, and they are not interested in works that are not original and new enough.
- Your article is boring
This point is related to the previous paragraph, but it is not the same. The reviewers may think that your article is not of interest to the readers of the journal or they may be distracted by questions that are outside the scope of the journal. A good research paper should be focused and have a precise and clear scope that meets the criteria of the journal.
Final words
If your paper is rejected, do not give up. Elsevier has found in its research that 22% of rejected articles are eventually published in journals with an impact factor equal to or even higher than the original target journal. Elsevier provides a useful journal finder for authors looking for the right place to publish their articles. You can also write an appeal letter if you feel your article has been mistakenly rejected. As long as your research is solid and you have done your best to ensure it is technically strong, all you have to do is finding a suitable journal. You also need to make sure that your article is of the highest quality. Trinka, an AI-based writing assistant, is specifically designed for academic and technical writing, which is perfect for improving the quality of your writing holistically and preparing your article for a global audience.
Has your paper ever been rejected and then accepted? What tips did you follow to successfully submit your article to Elsevier journals? Please share your comments with us in the comments section.