Submitting a manuscript is not just about uploading the research paper. It is about ensuring that every required element is complete, accurate, and aligned with the journal’s instructions. A strong manuscript can still face delays if the cover letter is incomplete, figures are not cited correctly, ethics statements are missing, or supplementary files are not uploaded in the required format, to list a few of the reasons for desk rejections and delays.
A pre-submission checklist helps authors reduce avoidable errors and gives the editorial office a cleaner submission to review.
1. Check the journal guidelines first.
Before making the final edits, authors should review the selected journal’s aims, scope, article type, formatting rules, word count, reference style, figure requirements, and declaration requirements. Springer Nature advises authors to review the submission guidelines before starting the submission process, including preparation of the manuscript, figures, and tables.
2. Review the title, abstract, and keywords.
The title and abstract are often the first parts editors read. They should clearly reflect the study’s purpose, methods, main findings, and relevance. The abstract should be readable, concise, and aligned with the journal’s article type. The keywords should support discoverability and match the terminology used in the field.
3. Prepare a strong cover letter.
The cover letter should introduce the manuscript and explain why it is relevant to the journal’s readers. Springer Nature notes that a well-written cover letter should explain why the submission will interest the journal’s audience and highlight relevant issues, such as related manuscripts or prior editor discussions.
4. Confirm figures and tables.
Authors should check that all figures and tables are cited in the text, numbered correctly, and provided with complete captions, titles, and legends. Springer Nature notes that poorly presented figures and tables, missing legends, and missing citations can cause delays and amendments.
5. Verify references.
References should follow the journal’s required style. Authors should check the spellings of author names, publication years, journal titles, DOIs, and in-text citation matches. Any references cited only in figures or tables should also be handled according to journal instructions.
6. Include ethics and declaration statements.
For medical and health research, the ICMJE recommends that the Methods section include a statement confirming approval by an independent ethics committee or institutional review board where applicable. Authors should also include conflicts of interest, funding, author contributions, consent statements, clinical trial registration details, and data availability statements when required. The ICMJE also notes that disclosure of financial and nonfinancial relationships helps protect trust in science.
7. Upload supplementary files correctly.
Supplementary material should be complete, clearly named, and referenced in the manuscript. Springer Nature’s checks include whether figures, tables, and supplemental material are referenced in the manuscript.
8. Check reporting guidelines.
Depending on the study type, authors may need reporting checklists such as CONSORT, PRISMA, STROBE, or other discipline-specific guidelines. The EQUATOR Network explains that reporting guidelines provide minimum lists of information needed to ensure a manuscript is complete and transparent.
A manuscript that is complete, clear, and compliant gives editors fewer reasons to pause the process. For authors, a final pre-submission review can mean fewer queries, fewer technical corrections, and a smoother journey from submission to editorial assessment.
Sources
https://www.equator-network.org/toolkits/developing-a-reporting-guideline/.
https://support.springernature.com/en/support/solutions/articles/6000271855-what-checks-will-my-manuscript-undergo-before-it-is-posted.
https://icmje.org/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/author-responsibilities–conflicts-of-interest.html.
https://link.springer.com/pre-submission/figures-and-tables.
https://support.springernature.com/en/support/solutions/articles/6000245674-cover-letter.
