How not to get your paper rejected — From the editors’ notebook

Other text in scientific journal, 2026

Context: One thing about the future is certain — it is uncertain. However, looking at the past, we can get a good understanding of where we are going. In 2025, Information and Software Technology (IST) experienced a substantial increase in submissions compared to the previous year. This growth necessitates more rigorous editorial processes to maintain high service standards for authors and reviewers.
Objective: This editorial reflects on the increasing frequency of desk rejections at IST. It aims to clarify the rationale behind these decisions and address the challenge of providing meaningful feedback.
Methods: We analyzed submission trends from 2025, specifically focusing on the characteristics and common pitfalls of manuscripts that were rejected without entering the full peer-review process. Results: Our analysis reveals that desk rejections are often the result of misalignment with the journal’s scope, insufficient empirical validation, or failure to follow appropriate reporting guidelines. Because the high volume of papers does not allow for individualized feedback for every rejected manuscript, these commonalities serve as a baseline for editorial decisions.
Conclusions: To improve the likelihood of acceptance, authors should ensure their work provides clear contributions to software technology and adheres to rigorous methodological standards. This editorial provides a set of actionable guidelines designed to help authors avoid desk rejection and successfully navigate the IST publication pipeline.