Q: Why does my paper get multiple rejections?

Rejection is a natural part of the publication process. Most authors face rejection several times before their work ultimately gets accepted. Even Einstein had one of his papers rejected by a renowned journal before it got published elsewhere. 

I can understand how frustrating it must be to face multiple rejections. Perhaps you can politely write to the editor requesting to be enlightened about the reason why your paper was rejected. You can explain that the editor’s comments would help you identify where you have gone wrong and help you improve your study.

There are various common reasons for rejection. So just check your paper for a few things before you submit it to another journal:

• Does your paper match the scope of the journal?
• Have you presented your research question in the best possible way?
• Is your paper well-structured?
• Have you been able to convey your ideas clearly?

If possible, take feedback from a senior colleague or a professor. They might be able to point out some drawbacks of your paper that you might have overlooked. 

Do not lose heart. Think about the reasons for rejection at the heart of each referee’s comments and try make your manuscript more appealing for a journal.