Ensure your manuscript meets all journal requirements before submission with our free publication readiness checklist tool. No registration, no fees - just systematic preparation for successful journal submissions.
What is the Publication Readiness Checklist?
The publication readiness checklist is a comprehensive tool that helps researchers systematically verify their manuscripts meet all journal requirements before submission. With 47 default checklist items organized across 8 critical categories, this tool ensures nothing is overlooked in your pre-submission preparation.
Essential Checklist Categories
Manuscript Content (8 items)
- Clear research question and objectives
- Comprehensive literature review
- Appropriate methodology description
- Complete results presentation
- Discussion of findings and implications
- Stated limitations
- Conclusions supported by data
- Conflict of interest statement
Formatting Requirements (7 items)
- Correct journal template usage
- Proper page layout and margins
- Required font type and size
- Line spacing and line numbering
- Page numbering throughout
- Title page with all required information
- Abstract within word limit
References and Citations (5 items)
- All citations in correct format
- Complete reference list
- No missing references
- References match citations
- DOIs included where available
Figures and Tables (6 items)
- High-resolution figures (minimum 300 DPI)
- All figures and tables referenced in text
- Clear captions for all visuals
- Professional formatting
- Supplementary data prepared
- Figure and table legends complete
Authorship and Contributions (6 items)
- All authors approved manuscript
- Author contributions documented
- Corresponding author designated
- Author affiliations complete
- ORCID IDs provided
- Authorship order finalized
Ethics and Compliance (6 items)
- IRB/Ethics approval obtained
- Informed consent documented
- Data availability statement included
- Funding sources acknowledged
- Clinical trial registration (if applicable)
- Compliance with reporting guidelines
Supplementary Materials (4 items)
- Supplementary files prepared
- Supporting data organized
- Supplementary figure legends complete
- File formats meet journal requirements
Pre-Submission Requirements (5 items)
- Cover letter drafted
- Suggested reviewers identified
- Title page uploaded separately
- Copyright transfer signed
- Final proofreading completed
Why Checklists Prevent Rejections
Desk rejections - manuscripts rejected without peer review - often result from failure to meet basic submission requirements. A systematic checklist prevents:
Format Violations - Incorrect formatting is a common rejection reason Missing Documentation - Ethics approvals and consent forms are mandatory Reference Errors - Incomplete or incorrectly formatted references signal carelessness Figure Quality Issues - Low-resolution images cause immediate rejection Guideline Non-Compliance - CONSORT, PRISMA, and other reporting standards must be followed
Journal-Specific Requirements
High-Impact Journal Standards
Top-tier journals (Nature, Science, Cell, JAMA, Lancet) have strict requirements:
Structured Abstracts Most require specific sections: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions. Word limits typically 150-350 words.
Author Contributions CRediT taxonomy often required. Each author's specific contribution must be documented.
Data Availability Data sharing statements mandatory. Raw data may need to be deposited in public repositories.
Conflict of Interest Comprehensive COI disclosure required from all authors. Financial relationships must be declared.
Reporting Guidelines CONSORT for clinical trials, PRISMA for systematic reviews, STROBE for observational studies, ARRIVE for animal research.
Open Access Requirements
Open access journals have additional considerations:
Article Processing Charges Verify APC costs before submission. Some institutions provide funding.
Copyright and Licensing Choose appropriate Creative Commons license. Understand implications for reuse.
Open Data Policies Many require public data deposition. Plan data sharing strategy in advance.
Using the Checklist Tool
Step-by-Step Workflow
1. Enter Manuscript Information Add your manuscript title, target journal, submission deadline, and manuscript type.
2. Review Default Checklist The tool provides 47 essential items. Review each category systematically.
3. Add Custom Items Include journal-specific requirements not covered by defaults. Add discipline-specific items.
4. Check Off Completed Items Mark items complete as you verify them. Add notes for items requiring attention.
5. Track Progress Monitor overall completion percentage. View category-wise progress breakdown.
6. Export Your Checklist Save as text for printing or JSON for collaboration with co-authors.
Common Submission Mistakes
Incorrect Title Page Many journals require title page as separate file. Include all required information: full title, short title, author details, word count, conflicts of interest.
Missing Line Numbers Most journals require line numbering for reviewer reference. Easy to overlook but causes submission rejection.
Figure File Formats TIFF or EPS usually required for print. Check specific format requirements. JPEG often unacceptable for final submission.
Incomplete Author Information Missing ORCID IDs, incorrect email addresses, or incomplete affiliations delay processing.
Reference Formatting Errors Even minor deviations from journal style cause problems. Use reference management software and verify each citation.
Manuscript Types and Requirements
Original Research Articles Full structured abstract, comprehensive methods, detailed results, extensive discussion. Typically 3000-6000 words.
Review Articles May not require ethics approval. Systematic review protocols often pre-registered. Usually longer word limits.
Brief Reports/Letters Shortened format, condensed abstract, strict word limits. Figures and tables limited.
Case Studies Patient consent forms mandatory. Identifying information removed. Institutional approval required.
Pre-Submission Final Steps
Plagiarism Check Run through Turnitin or iThenticate. Address any high similarity scores before submission.
Grammar and Spell Check Professional editing recommended for non-native English speakers. No typos should remain.
Co-Author Approval All authors must approve final version. Document approval for records.
Journal Submission System Create account, verify all required fields, upload correct file types, save draft before finalizing.
Transform Your Submissions
Avoid desk rejections and increase your publication success rate with systematic manuscript preparation. Our publication readiness checklist ensures your manuscript meets all requirements before submission.
Visit https://www.subthesis.com/tools/publication-readiness-checklist - Start your pre-submission checklist now, completely free!