Q: What does status "Editor to Complete" indicate during the peer review process?
It is likely that this question has been asked previously but please allow me to elaborate.
I submitted a manuscript (original article), and after the submission was completed the status changed to "Out for Review" in a week. It remained unchanged for 3 weeks, and then changed to "Editor to Complete" after 4 weeks, which is the same status after I completed submission. Should I make an inquiry now or should I wait for more while? Or should I consider re-submitting to another journal? Your advice would be appreciated.
If I understand correctly, you have submitted your manuscript to a journal and recently the submission status has changed from “Out for Review” to “Editor to Complete.” It is possible that your manuscript has passed the editorial assessment and has completed the peer review. After the peer review the editor makes the final decision and you are likely to receive a decision on your manuscript shortly. The status “Editor to complete” is possibly an indication that the editor is reviewing the peer review reports and is in the process of making a final decision on your manuscript.
You can again send a follow-up email to the journal or call the journal editor to have a clear picture of the progress. You should receive the final decision soon. Do not submit this manuscript to another journal till you have received a decision from the journal in which the manuscript is already under consideration.
Related reading:
Peer review process and editorial decision making at journals
The peer review process: challenges and progress
This content belongs to the Journal submission & peer review Stage