Q: What is the meaning of a status change from “Required reviews completed” to “Editor assigned”?
I had submitted my preprint to a journal on March 15, 2018. The status changed to "Under review" on April 27, 2018 and then "Required reviews completed" on October 4, 2018. However, the status of my paper is now "Editor assigned" on October 9, 2018. What does this mean?
When you submit a manuscript to a journal, it is first screened by the handling/associate editor for suitability to the journal. The handling/associate editor then sends it to peer reviewers to review your manuscript, and the status changes to “Under Review.” Once the peer reviewers send in their comments regarding your manuscript, the status shows “Required Reviews Completed.”
After the review has come in, the handling/associate editor will scrutinize the comments/suggestions from the peer reviewers and based on these comments, will take a decision on the manuscript (either accept/reject/revise and resubmit). Your manuscript is at this stage now and is being reviewed by the editor. Therefore, the status is showing “Editor assigned.” Don't worry, all seems to be fine with your manuscript.
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