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Basic Technical IVT Commonly tested

Acceptance Rate Calculation

noun

Pronunciation: /əkˈsɛptəns reɪt ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃən/

The standardized methodology for computing the percentage of submitted manuscripts that receive acceptance for publication within a defined calendar period. It involves dividing total accepted manuscripts by total submitted manuscripts, excluding desk rejections and withdrawn submissions.

Plain English

The formula for determining what percentage of submitted papers a journal accepts for publication.

Etymology & History

Origin languageEnglish
Rootacceptance (from Latin accipere) + rate (from Latin rata) + calculation (from Latin calculare)
First recorded use1970s
Usage frequencyVery common

Usage

"The acceptance rate calculation for 2023 revealed a competitive 12% acceptance threshold."

Style guide notes: Express as percentage; specify time period and exclusion criteria clearly in reports.

Also known as

acceptance ratio acceptance percentage acceptance metric

Contrasted with

rejection rate desk rejection percentage

Related Terms

Frequently Asked Questions

Are desk rejections included in acceptance rate calculation?

No, desk rejections are typically excluded from both numerator and denominator.

What is a competitive acceptance rate?

Below 15% for elite journals; 20-40% for mid-tier; above 50% for open-access journals.

Why Test Candidates on This?

Fundamental for understanding journal quality indicators and publication competitiveness.

Required skill level: Junior

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