Publishing & peer review: from manuscript to accepted

Publishing is where research becomes part of the knowledge. The process is slow and critical — but it follows a pattern you can learn.

Choose the right journal

Match the manuscript to the journal's scope, readership and level. Aiming too high yields rejection; too low yields less impact. Check that the journal is reputable (avoid predatory journals), whether it's open access, and what your funder or institution requires. In Norway the national register of journals is useful for assessing level.

Understand peer review

Reviewers are not adversaries — they are critical readers who make the work better. Expect a request for revision, rarely acceptance outright. Read the comments carefully, distinguish between what requires change and what requires explanation, and don't be discouraged by a sharp tone; it's normal.

Respond to every comment point by point, politely and concretely — even where you disagree. A considered response letter is often the difference between acceptance and another rejection.

Handle rejection and revision

Rejection is part of research life, not a verdict on you. Use the feedback to strengthen the manuscript and send it on. With a 'revise and resubmit', treat it as an opportunity, not a burden. Persistence, not first-attempt perfection, is what gets work published.

Common pitfalls

• Submitting to the wrong journal or to a predatory one.
• Responding defensively or incompletely to reviewers.
• Giving up after the first rejection.

Ready to move on when…

• The journal fits the manuscript's scope and level.
• The response letter answers each comment concretely.
• You have a plan for revision and resubmission.