5 Ways to Improve Research Paper Acceptance Rates in Saudi Journals 

Blog Highlights 

• Saudi journals typically target audiences from the Middle East regions. So, tailor your research questions to address problems on a regional scale rather than a global scale. 
• Implement the latest analysis techniques and state-of-the-art research methodology by referring to relevant literature, especially from Saudi-based journals. 
• In case of medical journals like Annals of Saudi Medicine and Saudi Medical Journal, check journal-specific instructions in addition to recommended publication standards like ICMJE. 

Jump to Contents 

Introduction 

Understanding Saudi Journal Expectations 

5 Proven Strategies to Boost Paper Acceptance Rates 

Conclusion: Practice Essential Research Skills 

Introduction  

“I did everything I could, yet my paper was rejected! Could I have done more though?” 

If you’ve experienced this feeling, know that you are not alone! Publishing in regional journals comes with its unique set of challenges. In this blog, we will look at some of the top journals in Saudi Arabia, understand what they expect from authors, and suggest five ways to increase your chances of paper acceptance in Saudi journals. 

Understanding Saudi Journal Expectations 

Scientific publishing has been reshaped under the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative [1]. With intriguing opportunities emerging in various fields, scientific journals too have expanded their interest and scope. Let us understand the standards that are typically expected by some of the top Saudi journals. 

Journal of King Saud University – Engineering Sciences 

Journal of King Saud University – Engineering Sciences is a peer-reviewed open access journal that covers a wide range of sub-fields in Engineering Sciences [2].  

What they prioritize 

• Papers contributing to fields like Chemical, Civil, Industrial, Mechanical, Petroleum, and Electrical Engineering, among others. 
• Research on subject areas such as nanotechnology, renewable energy, bioengineering, and other novel engineering applications. 

Saudi Medical Journal 

Saudi Medical Journal [3] is also an open access journal that follows a strong peer review process. Submissions to this journal must strictly adhere to the requirements of International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). 

What they prioritize 

• Primarily focuses on original work, especially that explore problems relevant to Saudi Arabia region. 
• They require authors to consult appropriate reporting guidelines and checklists (e.g., PRISMA, CONSORT, STROBE etc.)   

Annals of Saudi Medicine 

The Annals of Saudi Medicine [4], the official journal of the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal. Although known for publishing papers that report advances in medical research and practice in Saudi Arabia, international collaboration is highly encouraged. 

What they prioritize 

• Original articles and brief reports are highly recommended, both including structured abstracts. 
• Video manuscript submissions and technical notes are encouraged, provided they supplement original articles, case reports, brief reports, and other submission formats.  

5 Proven Strategies to Boost Paper Acceptance Rates 

Regardless of the target journal, there are a few key responsibilities that authors own before submitting a manuscript. But what exactly ensures avoidance of desk rejections? Here are five key strategies to increase your chances of paper acceptance.  

1. Align with journal aims and scope 

“This seems straightforward. I just have to read the aims and make sure that my research topic falls under the journal’s scope, right?” It does appear simple at first glance. But mismatch with journal’s aims and scope is one of the top reasons for desk rejections!  

For example, the journal Annals of Saudi Medicine in its scope clearly states that while manuscripts will be accepted from global touchpoints, their target audience is particularly readers from the Middle East and parts of Asia and Africa. So, if your research collects clinical data of patients of European origin and presents a detailed analysis of a new drug intervention, it is less likely to be accepted. Instead, if your study analyzed patient data from Saudi Arabia, that would be more relevant for the journal’s target audience and is more likely to be accepted for review. 

So, internalize the true meaning of what the aims and scope are trying to convey before shortlisting Saudi journals. 

2. Follow submission guidelines precisely  

This also seems easily achievable. Where authors falter, however, is failing to tailor their submissions to the target journal’s standards. 

• For instance, let’s say a journal states formatting is NOT mandatory for initial submissions. So should you ignore formatting completely? No. Adhering to their guidelines right from your first correspondence with the journal signifies professionalism. So do it! 
• Medical journals like Annals of Saudi Medicine and Saudi Medical Journal are known for upholding the highest of standards for ethical principles. Carefully check which statements of declaration are mandated and provide proof of ethical consent wherever applicable. 

3. Strengthen the methodology section 

“My study has been carefully designed by adhering to all required scientific methods. So how could they reject my paper based on this?” 

If this thought crosses your mind, check your methodology again! Have you implemented the latest analysis techniques? Are the experimental methods outdated? If the standardized procedures are not used or if the methodology is defective in some way, the paper could be rejected. A few key tips for authors:  

• Ensure the methodology used is replicable by other researchers in the field. 
• Use clear comparison metrics for the analysis along with standardized protocols. 
• Avoid citing outdated scientific works. If you ignore the latest published papers containing state-of-the-art methods, this will be highlighted as a drawback in your paper.  

4. Tailor your writing to regional context  

When you target regional journals, examine the type of papers published on the journal. Framing the right research question sets the base for your entire study. And editors of Saudi journals prefer papers that provide valuable insights on a particular problem, especially to Saudi audience. It’s not always groundbreaking theory that interests editors and reviewers. Instead, think of practical applications.  

• What can be useful for policymakers in Saudi Arabia?  
• Does my research solve a problem on a global scale or can it address a more targeted problem at a regional level?  
• Do the implications have an impact that will be of interest to the journal’s target audience?  
• How best can I frame the research question to fit the data analyzed and the findings reported? 

5. Consider pre-submission inquiries  

At times, even if the journal’s website offers guidelines and instructions, you could be left with doubts. You may indeed seek advice from you peers and professors who have prior experience of perhaps publishing in that journal. You may even utilize professional services to support you in your publication journey. But the best way? Ask the journal! 

Write to the journal editor. It is better to clarify any queries regarding the submission, from ensuring whether the topic matches the journal’s scope to determining if there are any exceptions considered for word count limits, before proceeding with the submission preparation. 

Conclusion: Practice Essential Research Skills 

In general, build skills that will ease paper submissions over time. To make your long career in research fruitful, divide your research paper preparation into stages.  

• Learn how to effectively review literature from Saudi journals. Familiarize yourself with tools like Paperpal that are designed specifically for academic use. 
• Keep yourself updated with the latest developments reported in the field by referring to top-tier journals from Saudi Arabia.  
• Actively attend/participate in regional conferences and present posters when you get an opportunity. Build a solid network with your peers from top universities like the King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University, etc. 
• Collaborate with professional academic editors like Editage who are industry experts to build a strong research manuscript for journal submission. 

References 

1.  Saudi Vision 2030 https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en 

2. Journal of King Saud University – Engineering Sciences https://link.springer.com/journal/44444 

3. Saudi Medical Journal https://smj.org.sa/content/authors 

4. Annals of Saudi Medicine https://www.annsaudimed.net/info_authors