How to Submit Your Manuscript
Manuscripts may be submitted to journals via online submission systems, which can also be used to track the progress of a manuscript through peer review.
Every journal has different requirements, and therefore different submission systems, but there are similarities in the overall process. Here we provide a guide to the common principles of submission to scholarly journals.
Follow the specific instructions for your chosen journal
• Adhere to manuscript length limits and formatting guidelines
• Provide documents in the specified file formats
• Observe journal-specific requirements, e.g. regarding data availability
• Check and comply with the journal's authorship policies
• Provide documents in the specified file formats
• Observe journal-specific requirements, e.g. regarding data availability
• Check and comply with the journal's authorship policies
Navigate to the online submission system
• Look for a link on the journal’s homepage
• A link may also be found in any prior correspondence from the editor, particularly for revised submissions
• Some journals have enabled direct submission from preprint servers
• A link may also be found in any prior correspondence from the editor, particularly for revised submissions
• Some journals have enabled direct submission from preprint servers
Complete the online submission form
• Add manuscript information, e.g. title, abstract and keywords
• Provide contact information for all authors
• Sign any declarations on behalf of all authors, e.g. regarding conflicts of interest
• If prompted, suggest potential reviewers and individuals who you wish to exclude
• Attach all manuscript files and cover letter
• Provide contact information for all authors
• Sign any declarations on behalf of all authors, e.g. regarding conflicts of interest
• If prompted, suggest potential reviewers and individuals who you wish to exclude
• Attach all manuscript files and cover letter
Check for confirmation of submission
• A confirmation email containing your unique reference number will be generated upon receipt
• The status of a manuscript can usually be tracked online as it progresses through the system
• The status of a manuscript can usually be tracked online as it progresses through the system
Transfers between journals may use a difference mechanism
• Follow the editor’s instructions when transfer to another journal is suggested
• Manuscript transfer is usually a streamlined process
• Manuscript transfer is usually a streamlined process