Top Mistakes Authors Make When Submitting Medical Research Papers

 Submitting a medical research paper is a milestone for any researcher, but it's also a process riddled with challenges. Unfortunately, even promising studies are often rejected due to avoidable mistakes during submission.

If you're preparing to publish your work, steering clear of common pitfalls can dramatically improve your chances of acceptance. Leading journals, such as the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association (JPMA), have seen numerous submissions fall short due to technical or procedural errors, rather than a lack of quality.

Let's uncover the most frequent submission mistakes and how you can avoid them to boost your publication success rate.

1. Ignoring the Journal's Scope and Aims

One of the most basic — yet costly — mistakes is submitting to a journal that doesn't match your research's scope. For example, a clinical billing study may not be suitable for a journal focused solely on molecular biology.

✅ If your work centres around public health, clinical medicine, or medical billing in Pakistan and South Asia, JPMA is a highly suitable platform.

How to Avoid:

• Read the journal's aims and scope carefully.

• Look at the most recent publications to assess thematic alignment.

2. Skipping the Author Guidelines

Every reputable journal, including JPMA, provides detailed author instructions. Ignoring them often leads to automatic rejection.

Common mistakes include:

• Wrong formatting

• Excess word counts

• Improper referencing styles

• Missing ethical declarations

Solution:

• Download and follow JPMA's submission guidelines line by line.

• Use the journal's preferred style template (e.g., Vancouver style of referencing).

3. Poorly Written Abstracts

Your abstract is the gateway to your research. Many authors either overload it with data or leave it too vague, reducing the paper's appeal to editors and reviewers.

Avoid:

• Excessive technical terms

• Omitting results or conclusions

• Lack of keywords

Do This Instead:

• Write a structured abstract (Objective, Methods, Results, Conclusion).

• Use keywords that enhance discoverability.

4. Lack of Ethical Approval or Disclosure

In medical research, failing to include details of ethical clearance is a grave error. Journals like JPMA require:

• IRB/ethics committee approvals

• Patient consent statements (if applicable)

• Conflict of interest declarations

Solution:

• Include all ethics-related information during submission.

• Ensure that all co-authors review and approve the final manuscript.

5. Submitting Before the Paper Is Ready

Sometimes, in a rush to get published, authors submit papers with:

• Incomplete data

• Preliminary findings

• Unedited drafts

This creates a negative impression and increases the likelihood of rejection.

Advice:

• Revise thoroughly.

• Run your draft by a mentor or colleague for feedback.

• Use grammar check tools or professional editing services.

6. Using Low-Quality or Inaccurate References

Outdated, non-peer-reviewed, or irrelevant citations reduce the credibility of your paper. Journals like JPMA prioritise scientifically sound references.

To Fix This:

• Cite recent, relevant studies.

• Include references from the journal itself to show engagement with their content.

7. Inconsistent Formatting

Inconsistent heading styles, random font sizes, and poorly structured tables are all red flags. Reviewers might assume your research is as disorganised as your manuscript.

How to Improve:

• Use journal-specific templates.

• Ensure consistency in headings, tables, figures, and in-text citations.

8. Submitting to Multiple Journals at Once

Simultaneous submissions are strictly against publication ethics. JPMA and other journals consider this a serious breach and may block offending authors.

Best Practice:

• Submit to one journal at a time.

• If rejected, make revisions before moving to another.

9. Failing to Include a Cover Letter

A well-crafted cover letter can humanise your submission and briefly explain why your paper matters.

Tips:

• Address the editor by name (if known).

• Explain how your paper aligns with the journal's scope.

• Highlight key contributions without repeating the abstract.

10. Not Preparing for Peer Review

Authors often underestimate the importance of addressing reviewer feedback properly. Defensive or vague responses can stall or kill your paper's chances.

What to Do:

• Respond to each comment respectfully and specifically.

• Revise the manuscript accordingly and highlight changes.

✅ JPMA: A Journal That Values Precision and Professionalism

At the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, the editorial board is committed to publishing high-quality medical research that improves health outcomes in Pakistan and the region. By avoiding these common submission mistakes, you position yourself as a credible and reliable contributor to the medical academic community.

Explore JPMA's submission portal and author resources at https://jpma.org.pk.

Conclusion

Publishing in a reputable medical journal isn't just about solid research — it's about presentation, precision, and professionalism. By avoiding these ten common mistakes, you significantly increase your chances of acceptance and boost your academic reputation.

Take your time, do it right, and consider submitting your next manuscript to JPMA, where impactful medical research finds its voice.