Q: How do I write an inquiry to the editor about my manuscript's status?

Detailed Question -

Through Cogent Environmental Science online system, I have responded to the journal’s revision request, and after a day, the status has changed to 'With Journal Administrator' and after 21 days, the status has changed to ‘with editor’. However, for the last 3 weeks the status hasn’t changed. Should I have to write an email to an editor about the process for the paper? I am a bit worried if I am giving impressions like urging them. But waiting for the decision gets long. Please advise me on how to write an email politely.

1 Answer to this question
Answer:

We understand your concern. Our suggestion below is specific to Cogent Environmental Science.

Once you’ve resubmitted your manuscript, the journal editor will go over your revisions and often send it out for a second round of peer review, asking the reviewers to assess how you’ve responded to their comments. [1] Currently, your manuscript appears to be at this stage (with the editor), and the editor has likely sent out reviewing requests to their pool of peer reviewers. Your target journal states that owing to the demanding research life, it is common for a manuscript to undergo several cycles of reviewer requests before a suitable reviewer agrees to review and accepts the manuscript. It appears that the timeline for paper acceptance in Cogent Environmental Science is between 4 and 9 months. You can determine the timeline based on the dates (received/accepted/published) provided for some of the recent publications. [1] Therefore, we suggest that you wait for a status update for a few more weeks.

Alternatively, the target journal also explains that “If you’ve submitted your paper via an online system, then you can use it to track the progress of your paper through peer review. Otherwise, if you need an update on the status of your paper, please get in touch with the editor.”[1] Therefore, if required, please feel free to write to the editor. While doing so, do remember to mention your manuscript ID for the editor’s reference.

You may also refer to the below resources to know more about manuscript statuses post submission and journal communication.

I hope this helps! All the best for your research!

[1] https://authorservices.taylorandfrancis.com/publishing-your-research/peer-review/

Comment