SCiNiTO Team | Saturday, November 8, 2025
Introduction
You’ve written your paper, refined every figure, and finally clicked “Submit.”
Now what?
For many researchers, this moment marks the beginning of a long silence — a period where your paper seems to disappear into a black box. But understanding what happens behind the scenes can help you manage expectations, make strategic decisions, and avoid early rejection.
Step 1: Understanding Submission Systems
Most academic journals rely on one of three submission management systems:
- Editorial Manager (used by Elsevier)
- ScholarOne Manuscripts (used by Wiley, Taylor & Francis)
- eJournalPress (used by Springer Nature)
Each system asks for metadata (title, authors, affiliations, keywords) and uploads (cover letter, manuscript file, figures, supplementary data). Getting these right isn’t just formality — inconsistent metadata or missing files can delay review before it even starts.
Step 2: What Editors Look For Before Peer Review
Before your paper reaches reviewers, editors perform a pre-screening check. This is where many papers face desk rejection — often for preventable reasons.
Editors typically assess:
- Scope alignment: Does the paper fit the journal’s audience and focus?
- Writing clarity: Is the abstract compelling? Are results communicated clearly?
- Ethical standards: Any plagiarism, missing approvals, or data issues?
- Novelty: Does it advance the field meaningfully?
A polished manuscript that’s well-matched to the journal’s mission passes this gate. A rushed or misaligned submission rarely does.
Step 3: Tracking Submission Progress
After submission, you can monitor your paper’s progress through the system’s dashboard. You’ll typically see statuses like:
• With Editor → The manuscript is being screened for scope and quality.
• Under Review → External reviewers have been invited and accepted.
• Decision in Process → Reviews are in; the editor is preparing a final decision.
While it’s natural to be curious, avoid sending too many follow-up emails. A 4–8 week window is standard for most journals. If it’s been over 8–10 weeks without updates, a polite inquiry is reasonable.
Step 4: How SCiNiTO Supports Authors Before Submission
The best way to improve your paper’s chances is before you hit “Submit.”
Tools like SCiNiTO’s AI Reviewer and Journal Recommender help you prepare strategically:
- AI Reviewer: Provides structured feedback on clarity, structure, and reference accuracy — just like an internal pre-review.
- Journal Recommender: Matches your title and abstract to journals that fit your paper’s topic, scope, and target audience.
- Explore This with AI: Quickly analyze related papers to refine your literature positioning.
These tools can save you from early rejection by ensuring your work is aligned, readable, and ready.
FAQs
Q1. What’s the most common reason for desk rejection?
Poor journal fit or unclear writing — editors reject quickly when a paper doesn’t align with the journal’s goals.
Q2. Can I track submission progress?
Yes. Most submission systems offer real-time status updates, from initial screening to peer review.
Q3. Should I email the editor for updates?
Only if the status hasn’t changed after 8–10 weeks. Keep your message concise and professional.
Ready to strengthen your manuscript before submitting?
Try SCiNiTO AI Reviewer to receive instant, structured feedback and boost your paper’s chance of success.
Start Reviewing Now at SCiNiTO.ai