Table 1.
Common errors/pitfalls that may lead to rejection of the manuscript
| Section of manuscript | Errors/pitfalls leading to rejection |
|---|---|
| General | Not adhering to the instructions to authors of the particular journal |
| Wrong selection of journal | |
| Flight of ideas/poorly focused manuscript | |
| Research question, methodology, and results not aligned to each other | |
| Improper use of English language/grammar | |
| Abstract | Abstract does not correctly/accurately represent the main text (especially after submission of a revision) |
| Exceeding the word limit imposed by the journal | |
| Introduction | Not mentioning the research question clearly |
| Methods | Not mentioning the details of the ethics of the study (Institutional Ethics Committee permission and patient consent and assent) |
| Too elaborate/too short description of the methods | |
| Improper sampling/improper subject selection | |
| Precise details of interventions not described adequately | |
| Inappropriate statistical test/s used | |
| Results | Omitting important results |
| Emphasis on trivial/less important findings (these can go into the “supplementary files” which are published only on the website of the journal and not in the print version) | |
| Not mentioning 95% confidence intervals along with the P-values, odds ratios, where indicated | |
| Discussion | Not focused on discussing the findings of the author’s own study |
| Inadequate interpretation of results | |
| Incomplete comparison of author’s results with relevant other study results | |
| Not highlighting clearly what information is new in the present study | |
| Failing to mention the strengths and limitations of the study | |
| Conclusions not supported by the study findings | |
| Not clearly summarizing the key messages of their study | |
| References | Not adhering to the guidelines issued by the journal on their referencing style. |
| Exceeding the number permitted by the journal | |
| Failing to mention all details/mentioning incorrect details in the reference/s | |
| Figures/Tables/Artwork | Not adhering to the guidelines issued by the journal on quality of the material submitted Exceeding the number permitted by the journal |