When deciding to submit a manuscript, most authors are concerned about a journal’s Impact Factor (IF) and reputation. Recent research has shown that submission choices are influenced by a variety of factors, including peer review experiences, editorial transparency, and some journals’ retraction histories. Understanding these influences can help researchers select journals that afford them the greatest opportunity for successful and respected publication.
What Influences Authors to Submit Their Research? New Findings You Should Know
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- What Influences Authors to Submit Their Research? New Findings You Should Know
Influences Authors to Submit Their Research
- Study Scope: What Was Analysed?
- Key Findings from the Study
- Impact Factor Is Still a Major Driver
- Retractions Diminish Author Trust
- Peer Review Experience Influences Reputation
- Key Factors Influencing Manuscript Submissions
- What This Means for Authors Like You
- How Pubrica Helps You Choose the Right Journal
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What Influences Authors to Submit Their Research? New Findings You Should Know
1. Study Scope: What Was Analysed?
2. Key Findings from the Study
2.1 Impact Factor Is Still a Major Driver
2.2 Retractions Diminish Author Trust
2.3 Peer Review Experience Influences Reputation
3. Summary Table: Key Factors Influencing Manuscript Submissions
4. What This Means for Authors Like You
5. How Pubrica Helps You Choose the Right Journal
6. References
When deciding to submit a manuscript, most authors are concerned about a journal’s Impact Factor (IF) and reputation. Recent research has shown that submission choices are influenced by a variety of factors, including peer review experiences, editorial transparency, and some journals’ retraction histories. Understanding these influences can help researchers select journals that afford them the greatest opportunity for successful and respected publication.
Study Scope: What Was Analysed?
A study completed by Gaston et al. (2020) reviewed over 10 years of data across disciplines from 1000+ peer-reviewed journals. Important variables assessed were:
| Parameter | Description |
| Impact Factor (IF) | Annual fluctuations and trends |
| ISI Journal Rankings | Changes in percentile-based journal rankings |
| Retraction Records | Presence and frequency of article retractions |
| Peer Review Reputation | Qualitative data from 55 case studies on author experiences |
| Submission Volumes | Year-on-year submission counts linked to other variables |
The original parameters were correlated to comprehend the positive or negative aspects influencing manuscript submission trends across time.
Key Findings from the Study
1. Impact Factor Is Still a Major Driver
The research indicated a statistically significant relationship between journal IF changes and submission rates:
- Increases in IF were associated with an increase in subsequent submissions.
- Decreases in IF were associated with decreases in submissions.
Takeaway message for authors: Journals with increasing IFs are more competitive. Make sure your manuscript aligns well with the journal’s scope and standards before submitting!
2. Retractions Diminish Author Trust
Findings: Journals with one or more retractions exhibited an up to 17% decrease in new manuscript submissions the following year.
Example: Impact of Retractions on Submission Trends
| Journal Name | Retractions (Last 3 Years) | Submission Drop (%) |
| Journal A | 3 | -14% |
| Journal B | 0 | +7% |
3. Peer Review Experience Influences Reputation
Findings: In-depth case studies revealed that dissatisfaction with the peer review process strongly correlates with a drop in future submissions.
Case studies of 55 journals with substantial drops in submissions revealed similar issues:
- Poor reviewer feedback
- long or unclear review timelines
- Lack of editorial communication
Example: An author submitted to Journal C with an IF of 5.2. Even though the IF was strong, the author withdrew the manuscript after 7 months because there were no updates from the editors. Then, the author submitted to Journal D (IF 4.1), which is known for a 4-week turnaround. The paper was published in 2 months, and the author said he would not submit to Journal C again.
Authors should assess journals not only by IF but also by editorial efficiency, communication, and fairness.
Summary Table: Key Factors Influencing Manuscript Submissions
| Factor | Impact on Submissions | Author Implication |
| Increase in Impact Factor | Increases | Expect more competition |
| Retraction published | Decreases | Choose journals with clean records |
| Reviewer dissatisfaction | Decreases | Seek journals with positive peer review feedback |
| Good peer review reputation | Sustains or grows | Prefer journals known for fairness & speed |
Connect with us to explore how we can support you in maintaining academic integrity and enhancing the visibility of your research across the world!
What This Means for Authors Like You
When selecting a journal, consider the following:
- Ethical Track Record: The journal has a history of retractions or ethical issues?
- Review Quality: The reviewers and editors are known to be responsive and fair.
- Transparency: The journal has defined guidance and timelines for the review process.
These factors are equally as important as the IF because they determine your chances of your paper receiving a good review, being published quickly, and being respected by peers.
How Pubrica Helps You Choose the Right Journal
At Pubrica, we support authors with:
- Choosing the right journals that align with their research topic and goals.
- Understanding submission patterns, IF trends, and editorial criteria.
- Avoid journals with poor review processes or retraction issues.
- Interpreting journal guidelines and formatting, and ethics compliance.
Ready to choose the right journal and get published without the stress?
Let our experts guide your submission journey.
References
- Gaston, T. E., Ounsworth, F., Senders, T., Ritchie, S., & Jones, E. (2020). Factors affecting journal submission numbers: Impact factor and peer review reputation. Learned Publishing, 33(2), 154-162. https://doi.org/10.1002/leap.1285
- Rowley, J., Sbaffi, L., Sugden, M., & Gilbert, A. (2022). Factors influencing researchers’ journal selection decisions. Journal of Information Science, 48(1), 3–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165551520958591