1. The Basics
How Editors Evaluate Your Manuscript
Before submitting your manuscript, make sure it meets the following expectations commonly used by journal editors:
| ☐ The manuscript clearly fits the journal’s scope and aims |
| ☐ The research offers original insights and advances the field |
| ☐ The topic contributes to an active and relevant research area |
| ☐ The cover letter clearly explains the contribution and relevance |
| ☐ The abstract and conclusion clearly highlight key findings |
| ☐ The manuscript follows all journal formatting and submission guidelines |
| ☐ The writing is clear, concise, and academically sound |
| ☐ Ethical standards (authorship, citations, data integrity) are fully met |
Submissions that meet these criteria are more likely to pass the initial editorial screening.
How to Choose the Right Journal for Your Manuscript
Submitting to an unsuitable journal is a common reason for early rejection and publication delays. Use this checklist to make sure your manuscript is a good fit:
| ☐ Review the journal’s aims and scope – Ensure your research aligns with the journal’s focus. |
| ☐ Consider your target audience – Broad-scope journals for multidisciplinary appeal; field-specific journals for specialized studies. |
| ☐ Check accepted manuscript types – Confirm your study fits the journal’s criteria. |
| ☐ Look beyond the Impact Factor – Consider other quality indicators, not just rankings. |
| ☐ Evaluate the quality of previously published work – Ensure your research is at a comparable level. |
| ☐ Check time to publication – Confirm the journal’s publication timeline suits your needs. |
| ☐ Use the Journal Finder tool – Quickly identify journals from our high quality portfolios that match your research interests. |
Publication and Funding
There are two main publishing options depending on your chosen journal:
| ☐ Make your research freely available to everyone immediately upon publication. |
| ☐ Required if your funder or institution mandates open access. |
| ☐ Article Processing Charges (APC) will apply, which may be paid by you or your funder. |
| ☐ Learn more about funder and institutional open access requirements and APC support in our Guide to Open Access Funding. |
| ☐ Publishing costs are covered through journal subscriptions, so no APC is required. |
| ☐ Your research will be accessible only to journal subscribers. |
Important: Always check your target journal’s submission guidelines to understand the publishing model and any applicable fees.
2. Manuscript Submission
1. Manuscript Submission Guidelines: Checklist for Authors
Follow the Journal Submission Guidelines
Following the journal's submission guidelines is key to increasing your chances of success. Use this checklist to ensure your manuscript meets all requirements:
| ☐ Read the guidelines early – Review them as soon as you select your target journal. |
| ☐ Prepare your manuscript accordingly – Include all sections and information editors expect. |
| ☐ Check word and character limits – For the title, running title, abstract, and main text. |
| ☐ Include required sections – Introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion, etc. |
| ☐ Follow formatting requirements – Headings, fonts, line spacing, tables, and figures. |
| ☐ Format references correctly – Ensure citations and bibliography follow the journal style. |
| ☐ Review editorial policies – Ethics, authorship, conflicts of interest, and disclosure statements. |
| ☐ Use correct file formats – Word, PDF, or any other formats requested by the journal. |
| ☐ Check funding requirements – Acknowledge funders and comply with open access policies if applicable. |
2. Editing for Language and Clarity
Ensure journal editors can easily understand your manuscript by making your writing clear, professional, and of high quality. Good-quality writing:
| ☐ Increases your chances of acceptance for publication |
| ☐ Boosts the impact of your manuscript within the research community |
| ☐ Accelerates understanding and acceptance of your research |
| ☐ Builds reader confidence in the quality of your work |
Is your English ready for submission?
| ☐ Upload your manuscript to Curie for free AI-powered language editing |
| ☐ Receive an edited version by email, including suggestions on grammar, phrasing, and writing style |
| ☐ Use the editing feedback to enhance clarity and focus more on your research |
| ☐ Confirm your email address to get started |
| ☐ Agree to the terms of service and privacy policy before submission |
Additional support:
| ☐ Check out our Writing in English tutorial – designed to help non-native English speakers avoid common publication errors |
| ☐ Consider our Language Editing Services for further assistance in improving manuscript quality |
3. Structure and Layout
A well-structured manuscript helps editors and readers easily understand your research. Use this checklist to organize your article effectively:
| ☐ Follow the standard manuscript structure, including: |
| Title – Clear and concise, reflecting your study |
| Abstract – Summarize objectives, methods, results, and conclusions |
| Introduction – Explain background, problem, and research gap |
| Literature Review – Explain theory, variables, theoretical framework, hypotheses |
| Methods – Describe study design, data, and analysis procedures |
| Results – Present key findings clearly and logically |
| Discussion – Interpret findings, implications, and limitations |
| ☐ Check your target journal's submission guidelines for any additional structure or formatting requirements |
Additional support:
| ☐ Tutorial – Writing a Journal Manuscript – Guidance on preparing each section |
| ☐ LaTeX Support – Use our LaTeX template to simplify manuscript formatting and submission |
4. Figures and Tables
Avoid submission delays by ensuring all figures, tables, and illustrations meet journal guidelines. Use this checklist to prepare your visuals:
| ☐ Number and annotate consistently – Ensure legends and numbering match references in the text |
| ☐ Provide clear and concise captions – Describe each figure or table clearly |
| ☐ Use proper spacing – Maintain sufficient space between columns and rows for readability |
| ☐ Include units where applicable – Ensure all measurements are clearly labeled |
| ☐ Choose legible fonts – Font type and size should be easy to read |
⚠ Poorly presented figures or tables, missing legends, or citations in the text may delay your manuscript and require amendments.
| ☐ Journal submission guidelines – Follow your target journal's specific instructions |
| ☐ Springer Nature Figure Formatting Service – Improve the quality of your visuals and ensure they meet journal specifications |
5. Editorial Policies
To ensure your manuscript meets ethical and editorial standards, follow this checklist:
| ☐ Review your target journal's editorial policies – Policies are usually outlined in the submission guidelines |
| ☐ Include all required statements – For example, competing interests, funding acknowledgments, and ethical approvals |
| ☐ Ensure compliance with global and community ethical standards – Maintain integrity and transparency in research and reporting |
| ☐ Check for additional required statements – Refer to the journal's submission guidelines for a complete list |
Following these policies carefully helps avoid delays and increases the likelihood of a smooth review process.
6. After Submission: What Happens Next
Follow these steps to understand what happens after you submit your manuscript:
-
1
Submission Received
Your manuscript is officially recorded.
Confirmation email is sent. -
2
Technical Check
Journal staff check formatting, word count, figures, tables, and completeness.
Incomplete submissions may be returned for corrections. -
3
Editor Review
Editor evaluates scope, originality, and relevance.
Manuscripts out of scope may be rejected at this stage. -
4
Peer Review
Experts assess quality, methodology, and validity.
Reviewers provide comments and recommendations. -
5
Final Decision
Editor considers reviewer feedback and decides:
Accept | Minor or Major Revision | Reject -
6
Payments and Rights (if applicable)
Open access journals may require Article Processing Charges (APC).
Confirm copyright and licensing agreements. -
7
Publication
Manuscript is published online and/or in print.
Your research is now available to the global audience!