Q: What is the meaning of the Decision in Process status after the Required Reviews Completed status in the first round of review?

Detailed Question -

I had submitted a manuscript to a Springer journal. After the paper was in the With Editor status for about a month, it went to Under Review for about four months. Then, the status changed to Required Reviews Completed. Three weeks later, the status has changed to Decision in Process. What does this mean and what is the probability of rejection?

1 Answer to this question
Answer:

We can sense just what you are getting at: that after about six months, you are looking at a possible rejection. :-/ However, such, as you may well know, is the research publication process. Also, as it’s Springer, the standards are expectedly high. All the same, all may not be lost.

So, a change to Decision in Process after the peer review means the Associate/Managing Editor (AE/ME) has looked at the reviewers’ comments, made their decision on the paper based on those comments, and has now referred the decision to the Editor-in-Chief (EIC). As you may know too, the EIC’s decision is the final one. The EIC may decide to go with the AE/ME’s decision (if it’s a reject), or they may at times rescind it. In rare cases, they may even decide on a reject-and-resubmit course. So, there is a silver lining. And of course, to think positively, it may well prove to be a standard (and more positive) revise-and-resubmit decision.

In the worst case that it’s a reject, you may of course submit to another journal. As the manuscript has no doubt been strengthened by a Springer-level review, it may find (easier) acceptance with some other journal.

Finally though, it would be best to take it step-by-step, beginning by waiting for the next/final outcome here. :)

For more insights and information on the various points discussed above, here’s a variety of resources you may find useful for now and the future.

Hope that helps. All the best for the next updates/actions!

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