Navigating Rejection after Multiple Revisions: Understanding and Addressing the Lack of Editor Comments

Receiving rejection without any editor comments after multiple rounds of revisions can be disheartening. However, understanding the reasons behind such rejections can help you navigate the academic publishing landscape more effectively. This article explores common scenarios, the reasons for such rejections, and the steps you can take to seek valuable feedback.

Commonality of Rejections

Even after undergoing multiple revisions, an article can still be rejected. This outcome is determined by whether the revisions adequately addressed the initial feedback, met the journal's standards, or if the work does not fit within the journal's scope. Editors and reviewers may reject an article if they feel the revisions were insufficient or did not improve the manuscript as significantly as needed.

Lack of Feedback

There are instances where editors provide no detailed comments, either due to time constraints or because they believe the decision is self-evident. Editors may feel that after multiple rounds of revisions, the manuscript is clearly unsuitable. This lack of feedback can be frustrating but is not uncommon in the fast-paced academic publishing environment.

Requesting Feedback

It is reasonable to request more detailed feedback, especially when an editor provides a rejection without comments. Writing a polite email to the editor can-seeking any specific reasons for the rejection. This can provide you with valuable insights for your next submission and help you address any remaining issues more effectively.

Example Email:

Subject: Request for Feedback on Manuscript Rejection Dear [Editor's Name], I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to express my gratitude for your time in conducting reviews on my manuscript [Title] over multiple rounds of revisions. I understand that decisions can be made without providing detailed comments, but I would greatly appreciate any specific reasons for the recent rejection. Even a brief note or a summary of the concerns would be immensely helpful. Your insights could guide me in improving the manuscript and enhancing its chances for future acceptance. Thank you for your continued support and understanding. Best regards, [Your Name]

Next Steps and Considerations

If you do not receive a satisfactory response to your request for feedback, consider submitting your paper to another journal that may be a better fit for your work. Every journal has its own set of priorities and criteria, and it's important to choose one that aligns well with your manuscript's scope and quality.

In conclusion, while receiving a rejection without comments after revisions is not the norm, it does occur. Requesting feedback can help clarify the situation and provide you with valuable information to improve your manuscript and future submissions. The publishing process is challenging, but with persistence and the right approach, you can achieve success.

References

1. Academic Publishing 2. Why Your Peer Review Has Been Ignored 3. Frontiers Publications on Academic Publishing