Why 90% Research Articles Get Desk Rejection From Scopus Index Journals? How to Avoid Desk Rejection

Dr Munshi Naser -Skill Tone
23 Sept 202406:38

TLDRIn this video, Dr. Muni Naser discusses the common reasons why 90% of research articles face desk rejection from Scopus indexed journals. Key reasons include a lack of research gap, improper journal formatting, and plagiarism. To avoid rejection, emphasize the research gap in the introduction, adhere strictly to journal formatting guidelines, and avoid plagiarism by using AI tools responsibly.

Takeaways

  • 📄 **Research Gap Importance**: Mention a significant research gap in the first two paragraphs of the introduction to avoid desk rejection.
  • 🖊️ **Journal Formatting**: Adhere strictly to the journal's author guidelines for formatting to prevent immediate desk rejection.
  • 🚫 **Avoid Plagiarism**: Ensure your manuscript is free from plagiarism and has low similarity indexes to pass the desk editorial board.
  • ✅ **Use AI Tools Wisely**: Utilize AI tools for assistance but rely on your own writing to maintain originality and avoid plagiarism.
  • 🔍 **Initial Screening**: The first step in the submission process is a quick check by the desk editor, focusing on the research gap and alignment with journal scope.
  • 🔗 **Alignment with Journal Scope**: Make sure your research is aligned with the journal's aims and scope to increase the chances of moving past the initial screening.
  • 📈 **Research Gap Clarity**: Clearly articulate the research gap in the introduction to show the importance and relevance of your study.
  • 📑 **Follow Guidelines**: Following the journal's guidelines for manuscript preparation is crucial for acceptance beyond the initial review.
  • 📝 **Originality**: Write your manuscript with original content and proper paraphrasing to ensure it passes plagiarism checks.
  • 🔄 **Balance AI Use**: Balance the use of AI tools with your own writing to maintain the authenticity and quality of your research article.

Q & A

  • Why do 90% of research articles get desk rejection from Scopus index journals?

    -90% of research articles get desk rejection mainly due to the lack of a significant research gap, non-adherence to journal formatting guidelines, and plagiarism or similarity issues.

  • What is the role of the research gap in the acceptance of a research article by a Scopus index journal?

    -The research gap is crucial as it demonstrates the need for the study. If a research gap is not clearly mentioned in the introduction, particularly in the first two or three paragraphs, the paper is likely to be desk rejected.

  • How important is it to follow the author guidelines when submitting a research article to a Scopus index journal?

    -Following the author guidelines is extremely important as it ensures that the manuscript is formatted correctly. Failure to do so can lead to immediate desk rejection.

  • What are the three main reasons for desk rejection as mentioned by Dr. Muni Naser?

    -The three main reasons for desk rejection mentioned by Dr. Muni Naser are the lack of research gap, lack of journal formatting, and plagiarism or similarity issues.

  • Why is it advised to mention the research gap in the first paragraph of the introduction?

    -Mentioning the research gap in the first paragraph ensures that the journal editors understand the significance and necessity of the study, which is crucial for the paper to proceed to the review stage.

  • What is the impact of not following the journal's formatting guidelines on the likelihood of desk rejection?

    -Not following the journal's formatting guidelines can lead to immediate desk rejection as it shows a lack of adherence to the journal's standards and expectations.

  • How can researchers avoid plagiarism or similarity issues in their research articles?

    -Researchers can avoid plagiarism or similarity issues by being honest, using paraphrasing tools responsibly, and ensuring that they write key paragraphs themselves to maintain originality.

  • What is the advice given by Dr. Muni Naser regarding the use of AI in writing research articles?

    -Dr. Muni Naser advises against solely depending on AI for writing entire manuscripts. Instead, he suggests using AI tools for assistance while maintaining a balance with the researcher's own writing to ensure originality.

  • What are the two types of desk rejection mentioned in the transcript?

    -The two types of desk rejection mentioned are immediate desk rejection and desk rejection after checking the journal's similarity and cross-referencing, which precedes the review stage.

  • How can following the three important steps help a research article get past the desk editorial board?

    -By clearly stating the research gap, adhering to journal formatting guidelines, and avoiding plagiarism or similarity issues, a research article is more likely to get past the desk editorial board and proceed to the reviewer stage.

  • What is the significance of the first two or three paragraphs in the introduction section of a research article submission?

    -The first two or three paragraphs in the introduction are significant as they set the stage for the research gap and the study's relevance, which are key factors in determining whether the article will be desk rejected or proceed to review.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Understanding Research Article Rejection

Dr. Muni Naser discusses the common reasons why research articles get rejected by journal editors. The primary focus is on the importance of identifying a significant research gap in the introduction section of the paper, which is crucial for getting past the initial editorial review. Dr. Naser emphasizes that many submissions are rejected due to a lack of research gap and improper formatting according to the journal's guidelines. Additionally, the paragraph warns against over-reliance on AI tools for writing, which can lead to plagiarism and similarity issues. Instead, researchers are advised to paraphrase and write with their own understanding to ensure originality and context relevance.

05:02

🔑 Keys to Avoiding Editorial Rejection

This paragraph outlines three key strategies to avoid immediate rejection by the editorial board. Firstly, it stresses the need to clearly articulate the research gap or problem in the introduction section. Secondly, it highlights the importance of adhering to the journal's formatting guidelines, which includes following the author guidelines meticulously. Lastly, it advises against plagiarism and similarity, suggesting the use of paraphrasing tools and personal writing to maintain originality. By following these steps, the likelihood of a paper progressing to the reviewer stage increases, potentially leading to a successful publication in a Scopus-indexed journal.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Desk Rejection

Desk rejection refers to the immediate rejection of a manuscript by the editorial board without sending it out for peer review. This occurs when the submission does not meet the journal's criteria or does not align with the journal's aims and scope. In the video, Dr. Muni Naser explains that 90% of research articles get desk rejected, often due to a lack of a significant research gap or not following the journal's formatting guidelines.

💡Research Gap

A research gap is an area of knowledge that has not been fully explored or understood. It represents a need for further investigation. In the context of the video, Dr. Naser emphasizes the importance of identifying and articulating a clear research gap in the introduction of a research article. This is crucial for the manuscript to pass the initial editorial review and proceed to peer review.

💡Aims and Scope

Aims and scope are the guidelines that define the focus and criteria of a journal. They outline the types of articles the journal publishes and the topics it covers. In the video, it is mentioned that if a submitted article does not align with the journal's aims and scope, it is likely to be desk rejected.

💡Author Guidelines

Author guidelines are instructions provided by a journal to authors on how to format and structure their manuscripts for submission. These guidelines include details on formatting, referencing, and other submission requirements. Dr. Naser points out that not adhering to these guidelines is a common reason for desk rejection, as it shows the submission is not tailored to the journal's expectations.

💡Formatting

Formatting in the context of academic publishing refers to the way a manuscript is presented, including font style, headings, margins, and other stylistic elements. The video stresses that proper formatting according to the journal's guidelines is essential to avoid desk rejection, as it demonstrates the author's attention to detail and respect for the publication's standards.

💡Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of using another person's work, ideas, or words without proper attribution. It is a serious academic offense. Dr. Naser warns against relying too heavily on AI tools for writing, as they can introduce plagiarism into the manuscript. He advises authors to paraphrase and write in their own words to ensure originality.

💡Peer Review

Peer review is the process where other experts in the same field evaluate the quality and validity of a research article. It is a critical part of academic publishing and helps maintain high standards. The video suggests that if a manuscript passes the initial desk review, it will be sent for peer review, where it may receive feedback for major or minor revisions.

💡Scopus Index

Scopus is a large abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature. Being indexed in Scopus is a mark of prestige for a journal. The video's title suggests that many researchers aim to publish in Scopus-indexed journals, and understanding how to avoid desk rejection is key to achieving this goal.

💡Methodology

Methodology refers to the systematic approach used in a study to investigate a research problem or question. While the video does not focus on methodology directly, it implies that researchers often concentrate on this aspect of their work. However, Dr. Naser advises that methodology alone is not sufficient; authors must also pay attention to the research gap and formatting to avoid desk rejection.

💡Manuscript

A manuscript is the document containing the full text of a work, such as a research article, before it is published. In the video, the term is used to describe the research papers that are submitted to journals. The quality of the manuscript, including its content and adherence to guidelines, determines whether it will be desk rejected or proceed in the publication process.

💡Revision

Revision in academic publishing refers to the process of making changes to a manuscript based on feedback from reviewers or editors. The video suggests that if a manuscript passes the initial desk review and is sent for peer review, it may receive revisions, which are opportunities for the author to improve the work and increase the chances of publication.

Highlights

90% of research articles get desk rejection from Scopus index journals.

Research articles are often rejected due to not being suitable or aligned with the journal's aims and scope.

The lack of a significant research gap is a primary reason for desk rejection.

Mentioning the research gap in the introduction is crucial for passing the desk editorial board.

Proper journal formatting is essential to avoid immediate desk rejection.

Following the author guidelines is key to formatting a research article correctly.

Templates provided by publishers like Elsevier and Springer should be adhered to for formatting.

Plagiarism is a common issue that leads to desk rejection.

Using AI tools for writing can introduce plagiarism and should be balanced with original writing.

Paraphrase key paragraphs to ensure a low similarity index and avoid plagiarism.

There are two types of desk rejection: immediate and after checking for similarity and cross-referencing.

To pass the desk editorial board, emphasize the research gap, follow formatting guidelines, and avoid plagiarism.

If a paper passes the desk editorial board, it moves on to the reviewer stage for potential revisions.

Following the three key steps increases the chance of a good publication in a Scopus index journal.

The importance of mentioning the research gap in the first paragraph of the manuscript.

The necessity of formatting research papers according to the journal's author guidelines.

The advice against relying solely on AI for writing to prevent plagiarism and ensure originality.

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