desk rejection
nounPronunciation: /dɛsk rɪˈdʒɛkʃən/
Also written as: DR
The editorial decision to reject a manuscript without sending it for external peer review. This occurs when editors determine the submission does not meet basic journal requirements or scope.
Full Definition
A desk rejection is an editorial decision made by journal editors to decline a manuscript for publication without subjecting it to the formal external peer review process. This decision typically occurs during the initial editorial screening phase when manuscripts are assessed for basic quality, scope alignment, ethical compliance, and adherence to submission guidelines. Desk rejections are usually made within days or weeks of submission and help editors manage workflow efficiency. Common reasons include poor methodology, inadequate significance, scope mismatch, or technical deficiencies that would likely result in eventual rejection even after peer review.
Plain English
When journal editors reject a research paper immediately without asking other experts to review it, usually because it doesn't fit the journal or has obvious problems.
In Editorial Context
A crucial editorial tool for maintaining journal quality and managing reviewer workload by filtering manuscripts that clearly do not meet publication standards before entering the peer review process.
Etymology & History
Developed as journal submission volumes increased and editors needed efficient methods to manage manuscript flow without overburdening peer reviewers.
Initially informal practice that became standardized editorial procedure as academic publishing became more systematic.
Usage
"The manuscript received a desk rejection due to insufficient methodological rigor and failure to address the journal's scope requirements."
Usage note: Should be communicated promptly to authors with clear reasoning to facilitate resubmission to more appropriate venues.
Context: Editorial decision-making, manuscript processing, author correspondence, editorial workflow discussions
Region: international
Also known as
Contrasted with
Don't confuse with
Sometimes confused with reviewer rejection, but desk rejection occurs before peer review while reviewer rejection occurs after.