To submit a manuscript for peer review, pick a fit journal, follow its author rules, package files and forms, then send, track, and revise with care.
You wrote the study. Now comes the part that gets it in front of readers: sending it to a journal for peer review. This guide lays out clear steps and plain checklists that raise your odds. Use it as a map from picking a journal to hitting “submit,” then through revision and resubmission if needed.
Submitting A Manuscript For Peer Review: Start To Finish
Editors and reviewers look for fit, clarity, and completeness. That means the right venue, clean files, and a paper that answers core questions on what was done, why it matters, and how the results hold up. Here is the end-to-end arc in plain steps.
- Pick a journal that matches your topic and audience.
- Read its “Instructions for Authors” line by line.
- Shape the paper to the journal’s style and word limits.
- Run a reporting checklist for your study type.
- Prepare figures, tables, data, and code in the required formats.
- Draft a tight submission letter that frames fit and value.
- Complete disclosures, ethics statements, and funding notes.
- Create an account in the journal’s portal and enter metadata.
- Upload files, confirm order, and submit.
- Track status, respond to editor notes, and revise fast and well.
Pre-Submission Checklist (Broad View)
| Item | What Editors Expect | Quick Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Scope & Fit | Clear match with aims, audience, and study type | Name two recent papers from that journal in your submission letter |
| Study Reporting | A checklist matched to study design | Use CONSORT, PRISMA, or STROBE style lists as needed |
| Authorship | Transparent roles and ORCID IDs where asked | Confirm order and contributor notes before submission |
| Conflicts & Funding | Full disclosure and grant numbers if any | Fill journal forms and repeat core lines in the paper |
| Ethics | IRB/IACUC approval, consent, or a waiver | State protocol IDs and dates in Methods |
| Data & Code | Availability statement and links if shared | Pick a stable repository and include a README |
| Figures | Right file type, DPI, and labeling | Export to TIFF/EPS/PNG as the journal asks |
| Tables | Editable text, not embedded images | Use the table tool; keep notes under the table |
| References | Correct style and complete DOIs | Run a reference manager style for that journal |
| Language | Plain, active, and free of jargon | Read aloud and trim filler |
| Submission Letter | Short pitch of fit, novelty, and impact | Two tight paragraphs, plus required statements |
Pick The Right Journal
Start with scope. Read recent issues and the aims page. Check if the journal runs single-blind, double-blind, or open review, and whether it asks for a data sharing note. Scan fees, length limits, and typical study types. A smart match saves weeks and cuts the chance of desk rejection.
Aim And Scope Match
Skim article titles and abstracts from the last year. Note methods, sample sizes, and topics that show up often. If your work sits far outside that stream, pick another venue.
Peer-Review Model
Know the model before you format. Double-blind needs a separate title page and stripped files. Open review may post reports and your response letter, so write with that in mind.
Speed, Acceptance Rate, And Fees
Check if the journal posts median times for first decision and publication. Also check APCs for open access or page charges in subscription venues. Plan for waivers if needed.
Build A Submission-Ready Manuscript
Many journals follow the IMRaD flow: Introduction, Methods, Results, and the final section. Even when formats vary, the same core logic applies: clear claims, traceable methods, and data that back the claims. Write for busy readers who scan first and then read deep where needed.
Structure And Sections
Keep the title precise, the abstract honest, and the introduction tight. Methods must let a skilled reader repeat the work. Results should start with primary outcomes, then secondary points. The final section should state what the work adds, limits, and next steps.
Reporting Checklists
Match your design to a known checklist. Trials use CONSORT, reviews use PRISMA, and observational studies use STROBE. Many journals ask you to upload a filled checklist at submission.
Language And Clarity
Short sentences carry ideas better. Use verbs that say who did what. Swap abstract nouns for concrete terms. Cut stock phrases. Replace buzzwords with claims that your data back.
Figures, Tables, And Files
Make every visual carry a point. Each legend should stand on its own. Set file names with clear labels, not “Fig1_final_final”. Keep raw data and scripts ready for checks.
Prepare The Package For Journal Submission
Beyond the main file, the portal will ask for statements, forms, and structured fields. Enter them with care, since editors see those first. Many decisions at triage stage rest on these small details.
Account Setup And Metadata
Use an institutional email. Add all authors with correct order and ORCID where asked. Paste the abstract into the portal, and check that special characters render cleanly. Add search terms that match common index terms in your field.
Submission Letter That Helps
Keep it short. Lead with the paper’s main claim in one line. State the fit with the journal. Flag any related preprints or prior submissions. Suggest fair reviewers and name any you wish to avoid, with a short reason.
Disclosure Forms And Ethics
Be complete on conflicts, funding, and study approvals. Clinical work may need trial registry IDs. Human subjects need consent notes or a waiver line. Animal work needs committee approval IDs. If no approval was needed, say why.
Data And Code Availability
Write a short, concrete statement. If you share, link a DOI and license. If access is limited, say who can request it and how. If code exists, name the language and version.
Submit, Track, And Respond
Once you submit, the paper goes through checks for scope, format, and ethics. If it passes, the editor invites reviewers. Use the waiting time to prep for a fast, complete response to comments.
Initial Checks
If the editor sends a format fix request, act fast. Fix line spacing, reference style, figure types, or blind files, then resubmit the same day when possible.
Peer-Review Rounds
When reports arrive, thank the editor, then answer every point in a response letter. Cite line numbers and show exact edits. Where you disagree, be calm and base your case on data or policy. Keep the tone professional and steady.
Revisions And Resubmission
Upload a clean file and a tracked file. Put all changes in the response letter table so editors can scan it fast. If you add new data, label new panels and explain why they were needed.
If Rejected, Move Fast And Smart
Rejections happen. Use the reports to strengthen the work. Then pick a new venue and send within days, not months. Many portals let you paste past reviews; do so when the next journal invites it.
Submission Portals At A Glance
| Portal | Where You See It | What To Prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial Manager | Many society and publisher journals | Separate title page, main file, figures, and bullet points |
| ScholarOne | Large publisher suites | Suggested reviewers with emails and ORCID; conflict notes |
| eJP / ePress / Others | Field-specific venues | Custom fields; read each screen before upload |
Who, How, And Why Checklist
Readers and editors like clear signals on three things. Who did the work and in what roles. How the work was done with enough detail to repeat it. Why the result adds value for the field. Touch all three in your abstract, in Methods, and again in the submission letter.
Who
Name roles in a contributor note. Use CRediT roles where the journal asks. Make sure the order and roles match across the title page, portal fields, and the manuscript file.
How
State design, setting, data sources, outcomes, and statistics in plain terms. Mention any preregistration or protocols. Link to full methods or code when size limits apply.
Why
One or two lines can frame value: a gap the paper fills, a method advance, or a clear practical gain. Keep claims modest and tied to what the data show.
Polish That Boosts Acceptance Odds
Small edits move busy readers toward yes. Use these fast wins before you hit submit.
Title, Abstract, And Search Terms
Put the main concept up front in the title. Keep the abstract faithful to the data. Add three to six search terms that match index terms in your field so searchers can find the work.
References And Citations
Check every DOI. Trim self-citations. Cite two or three recent papers from the target journal when they are relevant. Link data papers and protocol papers where they exist.
Ethics And Integrity Signals
Add data, code, and materials notes. State how consent was obtained when humans were involved. If the work was preregistered, add the registry link.
Trusted Rules And Checklists To Use
Two sources help align your paper with common standards. The ICMJE site sets out clear author and submission rules used across many journals. The EQUATOR Network hosts reporting checklists for major study types. Build those into your draft before you even open the portal.
Final Notes Before You Click Submit
Run one last pass: spell-check, figure labels, table footnotes, reference style, file names, and portal fields. Save a PDF of the exact files you sent. Then submit with confidence. If reviews come, treat every line as a path to a stronger paper, and send the next round fast. Keep messages to editors short, polite, and specific; short beats long. If timing matters, add a brief note in your submission letter and follow portal instructions exactly.