Has your article followed the journal template, from the title format and abstract to citations and references, but still been rejected? An article that meets the journal template requirements but still gets rejected is a situation authors may experience when submitting manuscripts to academic journals. This is because following the template only fulfills the technical requirements, while editors also evaluate the article’s quality, originality, relevance, and scientific merit before proceeding to the review process.

Why Can an Article Be Rejected Even When It Follows the Template?

There are several reasons to consider:

• Not within the journal’s scope. The article’s topic does not align with the journal’s focus and subject area.
• Unclear research novelty. The article does not clearly demonstrate a new contribution or explain how it differs from previous studies.
• Weak methodology. The research methods are not adequately explained or do not sufficiently support the conclusions.
• Lack of depth in the discussion. The results are presented without sufficient analysis or comparison with previous studies.
• Irrelevant references. The sources used do not adequately support the arguments or reflect recent developments in the field.

Rejection can occur during the initial screening stage (desk rejection) or after the peer review process. Therefore, authors need to understand the reasons for rejection provided by the editor.
Read More: How to Determine Author Order in a Scientific Article

How Can You Make Your Article More Ready for Submission?

Before submitting your manuscript, review the following points:

1. Check the journal’s scope. Make sure the research topic, objectives, and methods align with the journal’s focus.
2. Clarify the novelty. Highlight the research gap and the article’s contribution from the introduction section.
3. Evaluate the methodology and discussion. Make sure the methods are justifiable and the results are analyzed logically.
4. Check the quality of references. Use relevant and verifiable scholarly sources.
5. Read the author guidelines. In addition to the template, pay attention to ethical requirements, structure, language, and other submission requirements.

Is Following the Template Enough for Publication?

Certainly not. A template helps meet technical standards, but it does not guarantee that an article will be accepted. Research quality, journal suitability, and the editor’s decision remain important factors.

If you need assistance, Jakad Journal provides manuscript review, editing, proofreading, and journal selection guidance. Consult your article to make sure it is better prepared before submitting it to a suitable journal.

Need help with editing or journal submission? Don’t hesitate to consult with a trusted publication service to ensure your process is smooth, professional, and secure
You can read more articles on writing tips, publishing journals, and getting to know more about scientific journals by visiting us at @jfpublisher dan @jakadjournal . For more information on journal publication, please kindly contact us at +62 812-3044-4797