Category Archives: rejection

why journal articles get rejected – #3

Posted on May 2, 2022 by pat thomson

Every journal article is expected to make a contribution. The writer has to say something that adds to the conversation about the particular topic in the target journal. And through this addition, they participate in the discussion in the field. … Continue reading →

Posted in contribution, journal article, peer review, rejection, significance | Tagged contribution, journal article, Pat Thomson, peer reveiw, rejection, significance | 1 Comment

why journal articles are rejected #2

Posted on April 18, 2022 by pat thomson

Here’s the thing. Journal Editors say that one of the major reasons that papers are rejected is when the writer is not clear about their point, and their argument. Accepted journal articles have a point to make. They work with … Continue reading →

Posted in argument, journal article, rejection, the point | Tagged argument, journal article, Pat Thomson, rejection, structured abstract, the point | Leave a comment

why journal articles get rejected #1

Posted on April 11, 2022 by pat thomson

Some journal articles never get sent out for review. They are rejected at the outset by the Editor. Why is this? Well, there’s a short and a somewhat longer and a very extensive answer to this question. The short answer … Continue reading →

Posted in choosing the right journal, editing a journal, journal, journal article, journal editor, rejection | Tagged journal article, journal editor, reasons for rejection, rejection of articles | 1 Comment

dealing with rejection

Posted on August 31, 2020 by pat thomson

This is a guest post from Dan Cleather. Dan is a strength coach, educator, scientist and anarchist. His latest book, “Subvert! A philosophical guide for the 21st century scientist”, was published in May. Being an academic requires a thick skin. Very … Continue reading →

Posted in academic writing, peer review, rejection, research funding | Tagged Dan Cleather, peer review, rejection, research funding | 4 Comments

the appraisal and rejection of conference abstracts

Posted on September 12, 2013 by pat thomson

I had an email recently from an early career researcher who’d just had an abstract for a conference knocked back. When they asked for feedback, they were shocked by what they read. Presumably assuming that the writer would never see … Continue reading →

Posted in abstracts, conference papers, early career researchers, peer review, rejection, reviewing | Tagged conference abstract, Pat Thomson, rejection, reviewing | 8 Comments

seven reasons why journals reject papers

Posted on May 20, 2013 by pat thomson

I’ve written about rejections several times, and most of this is scattered throughout the blog, so I thought it might be helpful to amalgamate the most important points together. All in one place. There are some very common reasons why … Continue reading →

Posted in journal, premature publication, publishing, refereeing, rejection, writing, writing research | Tagged journals, Pat Thomson, reasons for rejection | 36 Comments

the cruel reviewer

Posted on April 15, 2013 by pat thomson

It’s funny how the bad stuff sticks with you. I was thinking about this last week as I was giving feedback after a viva and hoping that the candidate was hearing all the good things and not just the small … Continue reading →

Posted in feedback, journal, rejection, revision | Tagged bad review, Hugh Miller, Pat Thomson, rejection, Steven Mumford | 16 Comments

what’s at stake for an early career researcher in going for publication in a top ranked journal ?

Posted on March 18, 2012 by pat thomson

I often get asked in workshops whether early career researchers should aim to get into a top journal. I want to give the first two parts of my answer in this post. My first response – WHO IS SAYING THIS … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, emotional labour, journal, online publishing, peer review, publishing, rejection, scholarly identity, top ranked journal | Tagged citations, emotional labour, identity, pat thomson. publishing, rejection, top ranked journals | 9 Comments

how to make sure your research funding bid is rejected

Posted on January 27, 2012 by pat thomson

I’ve been reviewing funding bids. For days. And still more to go. I’ve seen some interesting ideas. But also, so many basic issues that could so easily be sorted out. AAARGH. So, how does setting up your bid to fail … Continue reading →

Posted in bid writing, rejection, research funding | Tagged bid rejection, Pat Thomson, research funding | 6 Comments

refereeing a journal article. part 2: making a recommendation

Posted on January 13, 2012 by pat thomson

Journals always ask reviewers to recommend whether an article should be published as is, or whether the writer should do small or large revisions. They also ask if the article should be rejected outright. Making a publication recommendation can feel … Continue reading →