Q: What is the meaning of multiple statuses for a manuscript on ScholarOne?

The thing is, different journals use the ScholarOne system in their own way, adapting and customizing it to suit their own workflows. So, these multiple statuses (which although seem to be around the same status of reviewer selection) are a reflection of the workflow at this particular journal. Also, ScholarOne keeps coming out with updates, once almost every two-three months, so status descriptors also keep changing. For instance, ‘RM’ seems to be a new status indicator. In other systems (such as CRM, or Customer Relationship Management), ‘RM’ stands for ‘Relationship Manager.’ But here, it most probably stands for the peer reviewer. In most journals, this takes up the initials ‘RE,’ short for ‘reviewer,’ but here, the ‘M’ must be for something specific to the journal. The EiC indicator is simpler: it tells you who the Editor-in-Chief is. Finally, the last status is the one most relevant to you. ‘Awaiting Reviewer Selection’ means that your manuscript has cleared the desk screening and is now ready to be sent for peer review. So, good job there! :)

As you can see, nothing much is needed from your side for now. However, you can continue keeping a look-out for status updates, to see how your manuscript is progressing, and in case you see it for long at a particular stage, you may choose to write to the editor seeking an update.

Now, while the outcome of the peer review may seem a while away, you may still wish to prepare for it by going through the following articles:

• Peer review process and editorial decision making at journals
• How to respond to comments by peer reviewers

All the best for smoothly progressing through the various stages!