Common Mistakes to Avoid When Submitting Article to Agriculture Journals

Many agriculture research papers are rejected due to easily avoidable errors. This blog highlights the most common mistakes—such as poor structure, plagiarism, and missing guidelines—that researchers make when submitting to journals like IJOEAR, and offers practical tips to improve manuscript quality and boost chances of publication.

Submitting a manuscript to a reputed agriculture journal like IJOEAR is a significant milestone for any researcher. However, many submissions are returned for revision or outright rejected due to simple, avoidable mistakes. Understanding these common errors can dramatically improve your chances of successful publication and make your research more impactful within the academic community.

Let’s explore these issues in detail and how to prevent them.

Common Mistakes to Avoid for Agriculture Journals:

1. Not Following the Journal’s Author Guidelines:

One of the most frequent reasons manuscripts get rejected without review is the failure to follow the journal’s submission guidelines. These include formatting rules, section structures, file types, reference styles, and even manuscript length.

Why it matters:

Each journal customizes its editorial process and peer review workflow. Not adhering to their requirements makes processing more difficult and signals a lack of professionalism.

How to avoid it:

Before preparing your manuscript, carefully read the journal’s “Guidelines for Authors.” Create a checklist to ensure your title page, figures, tables, citations, and references meet the stated requirements. For IJOEAR, our detailed submission instructions can be found here.

2. Poor Manuscript Structure and Organization:

Even the most groundbreaking research can fall flat if the manuscript lacks logical structure. When sections are missing, out of order, or filled with irrelevant content, reviewers may struggle to understand your research intent.

Why it matters:

Scientific writing requires clarity and coherence. A poorly structured paper can make even strong research appear weak.

How to avoid it:

Use the standard IMRaD format—Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion—and clearly label each section. Make sure your abstract summarizes all key components and your conclusion connects the results to broader implications.

3. Weak or Outdated Literature Review:

A shallow literature review often indicates insufficient engagement with current research. Citing outdated studies or missing key references weakens the credibility of your research framework.

Why it matters:

The literature review forms the foundation of your research. It shows that you are aware of developments in your field and positions your work within that context.

How to avoid it:

Include recent (past 5–7 years) and relevant studies from reputable journals. Highlight the research gap your paper addresses. Don’t overload the section—focus on quality and relevance.

4. Language and Grammar Issues:

Submissions with poor grammar, inconsistent tenses, and unclear sentences reflect poorly on the author and create additional work for editors and reviewers.

Why it matters:

Language errors can obscure your findings and reduce the readability and perceived quality of your work.

How to avoid it:

Use clear, concise academic language. Proofread your work thoroughly, or use professional language editing services. Grammar tools like Grammarly or Scribbr can be helpful, especially for non-native English speakers.

5. Plagiarism and Lack of Originality:

Even inadvertent plagiarism—copying phrases or forgetting citations—can have serious consequences. Journals use plagiarism-detection software to check for originality.

Why it matters:

Plagiarism damages your reputation and can lead to paper retraction, blacklisting, or rejection.

How to avoid it:

Always paraphrase ideas and cite your sources properly. Run your paper through plagiarism detection tools (like Turnitin or PlagScan) before submission. Most importantly, make sure your research contributes new insights rather than duplicating existing work.

6. Submitting to the Wrong Journal:

Sometimes, good papers are submitted to journals that don’t align with the topic, scope, or target audience. This mismatch often leads to immediate rejection.

Why it matters:

Each journal has a defined focus area. A mismatch wastes time and effort for both the author and editorial team.

How to avoid it:

Review the journal’s Aim and Scope before submission. For IJOEAR, we prioritize research in agriculture, environmental science, agronomy, climate adaptation, and sustainable farming practices. Ensure your manuscript clearly fits these areas.

7. Omitting Ethical Declarations and Disclosures:

Ethical transparency is mandatory in research publishing. Papers without clear declarations on ethical approval, funding sources, and conflicts of interest may be delayed or rejected.

Why it matters:

Scientific publishing demands ethical responsibility, especially when studies involve human or animal subjects or financial sponsorship.

How to avoid it:

Include the following:

Ethical approval details (if applicable)
Conflict of interest statement
Funding acknowledgment
Consent documentation for human/field studies

These sections add to your paper’s integrity and transparency.

8. Incorrect or Inconsistent Referencing Style:

Using inconsistent citation styles, missing references, or improper formatting can create confusion and reduce your paper’s professionalism.

Why it matters:

Accurate referencing shows scholarly rigor and supports the reproducibility of your research.

How to avoid it:

Use a reference management tool like Mendeley, Zotero, or EndNote. Follow the specific citation format recommended by the journal (APA, MLA, Vancouver, etc.). For IJOEAR, the preferred format is outlined in our author guidelines.

9. Submitting Without a Cover Letter:

Many authors overlook the importance of the cover letter or use a generic version. This is a missed opportunity to explain your research’s value and relevance.

Why it matters:

A well-crafted cover letter creates a positive first impression with the editor and shows that you’ve thoughtfully prepared your submission.

How to avoid it:

Your cover letter should:

Address the editor by name (if known)
Briefly explain your research contribution
Mention how the paper fits the journal’s scope
Include ethical declarations and originality confirmation

10. Impatience After Submission:

Following up too frequently or asking for unrealistic timelines shortly after submission reflects poorly on the author.

Why it matters:

Reviewing is a time-consuming and meticulous process. Pressuring editors can negatively impact your relationship with the journal.

How to avoid it:

Respect the journal’s average processing time (usually 2–8 weeks). If needed, send a polite status inquiry after the stated period. For IJOEAR, we aim to complete initial reviews within 2–4 weeks.

Submitting your research to a journal like IJOEAR is a chance to contribute to the advancement of science, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. By avoiding these common mistakes, you enhance your paper’s quality, demonstrate professionalism, and significantly increase your chances of acceptance.

At IJOEAR, we value integrity, innovation, and clarity in scientific communication. If you are ready to submit your next paper, visit our manuscript submission portal and review our latest author guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. What is the most common reason for manuscript rejection in agriculture journals?

The most common reason is not following the journal’s author guidelines, including incorrect formatting, improper referencing, or submitting a paper outside the journal's scope.

2. How can I check if my manuscript fits the scope of IJOEAR?

You can visit the Aim and Scope page of IJOEAR. We focus on agriculture, environmental research, agronomy, plant sciences, climate change, and related fields. Ensure your abstract and keywords align with these domains.

3. Is it necessary to include recent references in my literature review?

Yes, including recent and relevant references (from the past 5–7 years) is important. It shows that your research builds on current knowledge and addresses modern challenges in agriculture.

4. Can I submit the same manuscript to multiple journals at once?

No. Simultaneous submission is considered unethical. Always wait for a decision from one journal before submitting to another.

5. What plagiarism percentage is acceptable for submission?

Most journals, including IJOEAR, accept a similarity index below 15–20%, excluding references. It's best to run your manuscript through plagiarism detection tools before submission.

6. Is a cover letter mandatory when submitting to IJOEAR?

Yes, a well-written cover letter is encouraged. It should briefly describe your research, its relevance, and confirm that the manuscript is original and not under consideration elsewhere.

7. What happens if I forget to include ethical approval statements?

Your submission may be delayed or returned. Any study involving human, animal, or sensitive data must include a statement regarding ethical clearance or consent.

8. Can I use AI tools like ChatGPT for writing or editing my manuscript?

Yes, but you must acknowledge the use of such tools and ensure that the final content is original and scientifically accurate. Misuse or over-reliance on AI may affect credibility.

Contact Agriculture Journal IJOEAR:

For any questions regarding the Research Data Policy or data submission process, please don't hesitate to contact our editorial team at info.ijoear@gmail.com or info@ijoear.com . We are here to assist you.
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