I have submitted my paper to one of the springer journal. For the first week of submission, the status was "with editor" and then it changed to under review for one week, then reviewers asigned for the next two days then again changed to under review for 10 days then finally to "required reviews completed". The status reviews completed was for one week and then it changed to with editor again for last 10 days. Now my question is if it is rejection then the editor would immediately send the rejection letter. Why the editor is taking time to decide? Is it a good sign or a bad one??
When a submitted manuscript is with an Associate Editor, journals appear to use phrases such as “with editor” or “editor assigned.” When sent for peer review, phrases such as “reviewers invited” or “under review” transpire on the manuscript’s status. Other phrases such as “reviews completed” or “review complete” indicate that peer reviewers have evaluated the manuscript and have forwarded their review reports to the journal. If the status of the manuscript shifted after the peer review to “with editor” or “editor assigned,” it means that the manuscript was returned to the Associate Editor, who will peruse reviewers’ feedback and make a recommendation to the Editor-in-Chief who makes the final decision (i.e., accepting, rejecting or revising the manuscript). To that end, another phrase such as “decision in progress” could appear on the manuscript’s status. As a general rule, if the date and descriptor of manuscript status change from time to time, there is no need to be concerned or to contact the journal. Simply put, just be relaxed and wait for it. Here are some illuminating reads.
Agathokleous, E. (2022). Mastering the scientific peer review process: Tips for young authors from a young senior editor. Journal of Forestry Research, 33(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-021-01388-8
Caputo, R. K. (2019). Peer review: A vital gatekeeping function and obligation of professional scholarly practice. Families in Society, 100(1), 6–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/1044389418808155
Falkenberg, L. J., & Soranno, P. A. (2018). Reviewing reviews: An evaluation of peer reviews of journal article submissions. Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin, 27(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1002/lob.10217
Hanafizadeh, P., & Shaikh, A. A. (2021). Developing doctoral students’ / researchers’ understanding of the journal peer-review process. The International Journal of Management Education, 19(2), 100500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2021.100500
Good luck,
Dear author,
This is a common trend for the reputable journal. It is up to editor to decide whether the paper is rejected or accepted according to the comments obtained from the reviewers. There is also a chance for the paper to sent again to the reviewers for further investigation. Hence, it is difficult to say bad. Please it is your obligation to wait for the action. Good luck.
Hello Mohd Shariq
I would agree with Tola Bekene Bedada that there is little you can do other than wait. It is, as mentioned, probably a way of saying the reviewer(s) have finished the review(s) and that the editor(s) needs to look at it now before making a final decision and then telling you - either good or bad. The good thing is that it is a far quicker time than some other people mentioned on RG - some are waiting for months!! My current record is about 3 months.
Each journal has its specific take, but the most likely explanation is that the non availability of an initial editor due to some reason. So, your reviewed paper has to be reassigned to some other editor of the journal.
In most busy journals several associate editors cooperate with the editor-in-chief, and it is likely that your manuscript was switched from one associate editor to another one.
So, please you need not to worry at all.
wait brother, both result either bad or good will appear soon. You must take patience.
