Q: What is the meaning of Awaiting Editor-in-Chief Check?

Hello Eisa – Welcome to the forum. When you submit your paper to a journal, after the initial/basic administration check (for ‘hygiene factors’ such as adherence to journal guidelines), the manuscript goes to the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) for an assessment of the novelty and quality of the research/paper and, in some cases, even a match with the journal’s scope (in case this is not covered during the admin check). So, your manuscript probably cleared the admin check, was sent to the EIC, but has been pending an assessment by the EIC.

The EIC “runs the show” at the journal, so to speak, and has a busy calendar. Plus, if it’s a top-rung journal, they receive a lot of submissions. Which is why your paper is still waiting to be assessed by the Chief. In case the status doesn’t change in another week or so, feel free to write to the journal requesting an update. Hopefully, you’ll hear from them shortly.

Until then, for more insights into some of the points discussed here, you may find it useful to go through the following resources:

• A journal editor's insight into what happens post manuscript submission
• Editorial decision-making: what are the possible outcomes for a manuscript?
• Who takes the final decision on a manuscript: the AE or EiC?

Hope that helps. All the best for the next steps!