Presubmission peer review and journal peer review mainly differ in who does them: the former is done by paid expert researchers and the latter is usually done for free, by scientist volunteers. Let’s look at each type of peer review in detail in this article.
What is pre submission peer review?
Presubmission peer review involves an expert check of your research paper before you submit it to a journal. It’s basically mimicking the peer review process so that the author can identify and fix content-related gaps or flaws in the manuscript, like missing information or inappropriate analyses.
What kind of feedback do I get in presubmission peer review?
Because presubmission peer review (like at Editage) is done by a qualified expert, who is usually also a journal peer reviewer, you can expect feedback on the following:
- Novelty of your findings
- Appropriateness of your study design and research methodology
- How completely you have reported your methods, population, intervention, measures, etc.
- Whether the analyzed data and main research outcomes are presented and justified appropriately
- Whether you have cited relevant research and contextualized your study in the existing literature
- Compliance with ethical guidelines and reporting standards
- Effectiveness of tables and figures
- Quality of your title, abstract, and keywords
- Fit with the aims and scope of your target journal
What are the benefits of professional pre-submission peer review?
Professional pre-submission peer review by an experienced researcher in your field can help you in the following ways:
Speed up the publication process
You can identify key technical flaws in your research paper and fix them before submission, which increases your chances of making it past desk rejection and smoothens the journal peer review process.
Objective feedback on your research
If you ask your colleagues or supervisors for feedback, their comments may be tinted by their relationship with you, internal politics, etc. Feedback from an external, professional expert is more likely to be impartial and objective.
Detailed explanations and concrete next steps
Under presubmission peer review, your reviewer will provide comprehensive explanations of any errors or issues in your paper, and give you specific and actionable directions on how to improve your paper. Informal peer reviewers (e.g., your colleagues) may lack the time or bandwidth to give you in-depth feedback, because they’re busy with their own research and teaching commitments.
Key differences between presubmission peer review and journal peer review
The table below summarizes the key differences between presubmission peer review and journal peer review
| Aspect | Presubmission Peer Review (Professional Service) | Journal Peer Review |
| Timing | Conducted before submission to a journal | Conducted after submission to a journal |
| Reviewer Type | Paid experts (often journal peer reviewers) selected by the service | Unpaid academic researchers selected by the journal |
| Primary Goal | Improve manuscript quality before submission | Evaluate suitability for publication in that specific journal |
| Focus Areas | Novelty, rigor, methodology, contribution to knowledge, submission-readiness | Novelty, rigor, methodology, contribution to knowledge, journal fit |
| Depth of Feedback | Often detailed and developmental (line-by-line + big-picture) | Can vary; often focuses on a few key concerns |
| Control Over Process | Author selects service and timing | Journal controls reviewer selection and timeline |
| Mandatory or optional? | Optional, seasoned researchers who have already published many papers in top journals can omit this step | Usually mandatory; journals that don’t require peer review are likely to be dubious or predatory |
| Turnaround Time | Typically fast (e.g.,5 days at Editage) | Can take months |
| Cost | Paid service | Free for authors (usually) |
| Impact on Acceptance | Indirect—improves quality and chances of getting published | Direct—determines whether the article is published or not |
| Interaction with Reviewers | Reviewers usually available for follow-up questions or further explanations | Highly limited, and mediated by the journal editor |
| Revision Cycles | Flexible, you can opt for multiple rounds of peer review | Limited |
| Bias/Variability | Scope, depth, and breadth of feedback generally consistent within the same service provider | Substantial variations in quality, tone, and extent of reviewer comments even from the same journal |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does presubmission peer review improve my chances of publication?
Yes, presubmission peer review can substantially improve your chances of publication because it detects major content flaws in the paper before you submit it to a journal and provides concrete and specific steps you can take to address these. Presubmission peer review improves the overall quality of the paper.
How do I get a presubmission peer review of my research paper?
The best options for presubmission peer review are service providers that specialize in researcher support. For instance, Editage offers presubmission peer review as a standalone service or as part of a publication support package.
How does presubmission peer review differ from preprint reviews?
Here are the key differences between presubmission peer review and preprint reviews:
| Aspect | Presubmission Peer Review | Preprint Review |
| Definition | Private review of a manuscript by professional reviewers before submission to a journal | Review of a manuscript after it is posted publicly as a preprint on a preprint server |
| Timing | Conducted before journal submission | Conducted after public posting but before or during journal submission |
| Main Purpose | Improve manuscript quality and increase chances of journal acceptance | Gather broader scientific feedback and improve transparency |
| Reviewer Type | Expert scientists specifically matched to your paper | Wider academic community, including researchers outside your immediate domain |
| Confidentiality | Your manuscript, data, and feedback stay private and confidential | Manuscript and feedback are usually publicly posted and openly accessible |
| Speed | Often faster (e.g., 5 days for Editage) | Depends on community engagement; may be immediate or delayed |
| Cost | Generally paid | Usually free |
| Scope of Feedback | Focused on novelty, rigor, methodology, submission-readiness | Can include broad scientific critique, replication concerns, and community discussion |
| Impact on Journal Submission | Helps improve the manuscript before formal submission | Can improve the manuscript and demonstrate openness, but some journals may have specific preprint policies |
| Formality | Usually structured and systematic, professionally phrased comments | Can include informal comments or casual criticisms |
| Citation Status | Manuscript is not publicly available or citable yet | Preprint is publicly available and often assigned a DOI, making it citable |
| Best For | Authors aiming to improve their chances of getting published | Authors trying to disseminate their work rapidly, secure credit for an idea, and contribute to broader scientific discussion |
Is presubmission peer review the same as peer feedback?
Presubmission peer review is not the same as peer feedback, which involves getting comments on your research from colleagues or peers. Since peer feedback is collected informally and is usually given for free, you might get biased or cursory comments. As there’s no confidentiality agreement in peer feedback, you could risk getting scooped or someone plagiarizing parts of your paper.
