Special Lecturer of Prof. Nguyen Van Tuan: Why manuscripts are rejected for publication?

Special lecture: Why manuscripts are rejected for publication?

Lecturer: Prof. Tuan V. Nguyen, Garvan Institute of Medical Research & University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Time: Thursday, January 10^th 2013, 10:00-11:30
Venue: Meeting room (2^nd floor), Hanoi School of Public Health, 138 Giang Vo, Ha Noi.

Abstract:

Peer reviewed publication is perhaps the most important “currency” for a successful scientific career.  However, as a norm, most scientific manuscripts are rejected for publication in high-profile journals, and the rate of rejection appears to be higher among Non-English speaking background (NESB) authors.  In this lecture, I will review and elaborate on reasons of rejection by drawing from recently published studies.

Rejection of scientific manuscripts occurs in 3 phases: editorial screening, review, and post-review.  About 50% of manuscripts are rejected in the editorial screening phase, 45% are rejected after the first review, and another 5% rejected after revision.  In the editorial screening phase, the most common reasons for rejection are lack of relevance to the journal readership, lack of novelty, and failure to meet the journal’s submission requirement.  In the review phase, most manuscripts are rejected because of the following 4 reasons: unimportant topic, flaws in methods and/or methodology, poor presentation of findings, and problems in the interpretation of data.  Approximately 3 out of 4 manuscripts are rejected because of flaws in research methods.  About 60% manuscripts are not accepted for publication because the finding or research topic is insignificant.  Deficiencies in writing style and English language are also among the most common reasons for rejection.  There are some data suggesting that work from non-US countries have a greater rate of rejection than those from the US. Nevertheless, rejection is an opportunity for improvement, and in many cases, rejected manuscripts can be published in a high profile journal.

In summary, recent studies have suggested that flaws in research and/or research methodology, lack of novelty, and writing style are the most common reasons for rejection of scientific manuscripts.  Knowledge of these reasons can help improve the chance of a better publication.

About the Author

Dr. Tuan V. Nguyen is a Senior Research Fellow of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, and a Professor of UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia. Dr. Nguyen is one of the most well-known osteoporosis researchers in the world, with influential work in genetics and epidemiology of osteoporosis. He is the developer of the Garvan Fracture Risk Calculator which is used by doctors worldwide.  Dr. Nguyen has published more than 200 publications in high profile peer-reviewed journals, including Nature, Nature Genetics, Science, New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, JAMA, Annals of Internal Medicine, etc.  His current H index is 59.  In addition, Dr. Nguyen currently serves on as an editorial board member of various journals, including the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Osteoporosis International, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, etc. He is also an expert reviewer for more than 20 major medical journals in the world. In Vietnam, Dr. Nguyen has published 10 books in various topics, including evidence-based medicine, Agent Orange, research methodology and biostatistics, scientific essays, education, etc.  He was one of the founders of the Osteoporosis Society in Ho Chi Minh City, and has on-going research collaboration in Vietnam. He has received awards, honors and recognition from the Vietnamese Foreign Minister, People’s Committees of Ho Chi Minh City and Kien Giang, and the Ho Chi Minh Medical Association for his contribution to science and medicine in Vietnam.

Contact

Nguyen Viet Hung

Center for Public Health and Ecosystem Research (CENPHER)

Hanoi School of Public Health, 138 Giang Vo, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam
T:  04.62733162, F: 04.62733172

Email: nvh@huph.edu.vn