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2 years ago in Scholarly Communication By Isaac

My paper was desk-rejected by a top journal with very vague feedback. How should I interpret this and what’s the best next step for resubmission?

After months of work, receiving a desk rejection with comments like "not a good fit for the journal" is disheartening and confusing. As a PhD candidate aiming for high-impact publications, I need advice on how to critically assess such feedback and decide whether to revise for the same journal or target a new one.

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By Manoj Answered 1 month ago

I’ve been on both sides of this process, and a desk rejection, while tough, is often about scope, not quality. First, honestly assess the "fit." Look at the journal's last 20 published papers—does your work genuinely align? If the feedback is vague, it’s acceptable to send a brief, polite email to the editor asking for one specific point of misalignment to guide your revision; sometimes they clarify. However, I would usually recommend channeling your energy into a different, perhaps slightly more specialized, journal. Use this as an opportunity to refine your cover letter, explicitly stating how your manuscript fits the new journal's aims. A strategic pivot is often faster and more rewarding than trying to force a fit where there isn't one.

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