Getting a research paper rejected can be frustrating, but it’s a common challenge for PhD students. Many rejections happen due to unclear research gaps, weak methodology, or poor manuscript structure—issues that can be fixed before submission. If you’re struggling with identifying a research gap, check out our previous guide on Types of Research Gaps. In this newsletter, we’ll discuss the top reasons why research papers get rejected and how you can improve your manuscript to increase acceptance rates.
1. Results are not novel
In some cases, especially for empirical research, your analysis may generate results that are already known. There can be multiple reasons for it such as the data is poor or the analysis methodology is not suitable. The reviewer will take it very seriously. One way to handle it is to thoroughly compare your results with the previous related results.
2. Motivation is weak
Sometimes, the problem addressed in the paper is not addressed with full strength. Why is this work needed? Who will benefit from it? What exactly is the gap statement? When such aspects are not properly addressed, the reviewer don’t see the value in the paper. Answer these upfront.
3. Methodology is missing information
Depending upon the publication venue, incomplete methodology can also lead to the rejection of your paper. Make sure to include all relevant details (e.g., data collection, analysis method, dataset, etc.) in the paper.
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4. Related work is not up to date:
Some authors fail to include the most recent studies that are related to the undertaken work. This is a very common comment to receive from reviewers that to update the related work. Make sure that it’s up to date and that you are not missing any relevant papers.
5. Paper is not relevant to the target venue
If you submit your paper to a journal or conference whose scope does not cover the topic addressed in your paper, your paper may get disk rejected. Even it goes through the editor or program chair, the reviewer might reject based on lack of relevance to the venue. So, make sure to submit your paper to a relevant venue.
6. Typos, grammar, and formatting issues:
Typos turns the reviewer off. Moreover, these are the easiest flaws to figure out in a paper and it does lower the overall score of your paper. You should proofread your paper a couple of times before submission to remove such issues.
7. Results are not generalizable
Most of the studies are conducted in a specific context using specific datasets. Therefore, the findings are not generalizable to all cases and scenarios. It’s better to include this threat in the limitations or threats to validity section upfront so that the reviewer knows that you are already aware of this limitation.
8. Insufficient evidence
Some papers make very big claims in the abstract & introduction section of the paper. However, those claims are not supported with sufficient evidence in the later section of the paper. This leads to the reviewers’ lack of confidence in the findings. Better to make claims that you can support with adequate evidence.
9. Limitations of the Study Not Reported
Every research study has its limitations, and failing to acknowledge them raises red flags for reviewers. Whether it’s sample size constraints, methodological shortcomings, or data limitations, you need to discuss them transparently. Reviewers expect authors to recognize and explain these issues rather than ignore them. A well-written Limitations section shows that you understand the boundaries of your findings and helps future researchers build upon your work. Addressing this upfront strengthens your study’s credibility.
10. Paper Lacks Critical Analysis and Depth
A good research paper does more than summarize existing work—it critically evaluates, analyzes, and contributes new insights. Many papers get rejected because they lack depth in discussion, fail to engage with alternative perspectives, or do not challenge existing theories. Simply listing past studies isn’t enough; you need to critically compare them, highlight gaps, and position your work effectively. Also, ensure your findings are interpreted within a broader research context rather than just reporting results. Reviewers look for originality and depth, so strengthen your discussion with well-supported arguments and critical evaluation.
Final thoughts
A journal rejection isn’t the end of the road—it’s a chance to refine your research and resubmit successfully. By fixing common issues like methodological gaps, weak literature reviews, or poorly structured introductions, you can boost your chances of publication. If you need help with structuring your manuscript, check out our step-by-step guide on writing an effective introduction.
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