How to Submit to Journals and Respond to Peer Review
The keys to journal submission are choosing the right journal, strictly
following submission guidelines, and responding systematically to peer review
comments. Getting accepted on the first submission is extremely rare — a
revision request is not a rejection but an opportunity.
Why Submission Strategy Matters
Even good research gets desk-rejected if sent to the wrong journal. Conversely, choosing a journal that matches your study's level and scope makes the review process smoother and increases the probability of acceptance. Since the process from submission to final publication typically takes 6-12 months, selecting the right journal on your first attempt is essential for saving time.
Choosing a Journal
Selection Criteria
| Criterion | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Scope fit | Does the journal's Aim & Scope include my research topic? |
| Audience | Do the people who should read my findings read this journal? |
| Impact | What are the journal's Impact Factor, CiteScore, and h-index? |
| Review timeline | Does the average review period fit my schedule? |
| Open access | Is it OA? What is the APC (article processing charge)? |
| Acceptance rate | What is the journal's acceptance rate? |
How to Choose
- Check which journals appear most frequently in your paper's reference list — their readers are likely interested in your research
- Verify whether the journal has published similar topics in the last 2-3 years
- Consult your advisor — experienced researchers offer the most practical guidance
NubintAI's AI Paper Search lets you search by your research topic and see which journals most frequently publish related work.
Journals to Avoid
Watch out for predatory journals — publishers that charge fees without conducting genuine peer review. Check for listing in DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals), and be wary of unrealistically fast review times or aggressive solicitation emails.
Preparing for Submission
Pre-Submission Checklist
- Have you read the journal's Author Guidelines from start to finish?
- Does the manuscript format (length, font, margins, line spacing) comply with the guidelines?
- Does the reference style match the journal's requirements?
- Is the abstract within the word limit?
- Do tables and figures follow the specified format?
- Have you written a cover letter?
- Have all co-authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript?
- Have you prepared a conflict of interest declaration?
Writing the Cover Letter
The cover letter is the first document the editor reads. Keep it concise but persuasive.
What to include: paper title and target journal name, 2-3 sentences summarizing key findings, why this research is a good fit for this journal, the study's original contribution, and a declaration that the manuscript is not under simultaneous submission elsewhere.
The Peer Review Process
Types of Decisions
| Decision | Meaning | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Accept | Accepted without revisions | Extremely rare. Congratulations |
| Minor Revision | Accepted pending small changes | Revise quickly and resubmit |
| Major Revision | Requires substantial revision and re-review | Respond systematically; additional analysis may be needed |
| Revise & Resubmit | Requires near-complete rewrite | May require paper-level revision |
| Reject | Submission declined | Incorporate feedback and submit to another journal |
Key mindset: Minor and Major Revision are not rejections. The reviewers are signaling "we are willing to publish this if you address our concerns." Treat a revision request as a positive outcome.
Revision Response Strategy
Step 1: Process your emotions — Critical comments can be discouraging at first. Give yourself a day, then re-read them with fresh eyes.
Step 2: Categorize every comment — Organize all comments into a table.
| Reviewer | Comment Summary | Type | Response Plan | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1-1 | Insufficient justification for sample size | Methods | Add power analysis | Medium |
| R1-2 | Typo corrections | Editorial | Fix immediately | Low |
| R2-1 | Need discussion of alternative explanations | Discussion | Add paragraph | Medium |
Step 3: Write the response letter — Address every comment individually. For comments you agree with, describe exactly how you revised the manuscript. For comments you disagree with, present a respectful, evidence-based rebuttal.
Response letter principles:
- Respond to every single comment without exception
- Specify where changes were made in the manuscript (page number, line number)
- Maintain a courteous and grateful tone — starting with "This is an excellent point" sets the right tone
- When disagreeing, support your position with data or literature
Step 4: Revise the manuscript — Make changes exactly as described in the response letter. Highlight or underline revised sections (per journal guidelines).
When additional analysis or citations are needed, NubintAI's AI Citation Finder helps you quickly locate papers matching the context reviewers request. Use the AI Editor to insert new citations seamlessly during revision.
Handling Rejection
Rejection is common. Top journals reject 80-95% of submissions.
- Read reviewer comments carefully and incorporate improvements
- Revise the manuscript and submit to another suitable journal
- If the rejection cites fundamental flaws (e.g., methodology issues), address them before resubmitting. If the reason is scope mismatch, pivot to another journal immediately
- Never submit the same manuscript to another journal without revisions — reviewers overlap across journals
Submission-to-Publication Timeline
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Submission → Initial screening (desk review) | 1-2 weeks |
| Peer review | 1-3 months |
| Revision preparation and resubmission | 2-6 weeks |
| Second review | 2-4 weeks |
| Final decision → Publication | 1-2 weeks |
| Total | Average 6-12 months |
Common Mistakes
- Submitting without reading the guidelines — Format non-compliance alone can trigger a desk rejection
- Writing a careless cover letter — It sets the editor's first impression
- Missing the revision deadline — Most journals set deadlines. Missing one can result in your submission being treated as a new manuscript
- Responding emotionally to reviewer comments — Stay professional and courteous
- Agreeing with every comment — If you have evidence, a respectful rebuttal is appropriate. Blind agreement can actually undermine credibility
Summary
Journal submission follows the path of choosing the right journal → following guidelines → responding systematically to revisions. A revision request is not a rejection but an opportunity, and a rejection is not a failure but a detour to a different journal. Addressing every comment thoroughly, respectfully, and with evidence is the key to getting published.