How to Respond to Reviewers’ Comments
Before starting to answer the reviewers’ comments, consider the following tips:
1
You should have a positive attitude when considering the reviewers’ comments. Remember that no ISI article is published without at least one revision. So revision is something normal and the journal may even ask you to do a series of other tests. Their purpose is to improve the level of your article. So do not consider this as something negative.
2
Remember that if the editor proposes an article revision, it means that the editor and the reviewer want your article to be published. So never consider reviewers as critics, but rather see them as a chance for improving the quality and level of your article.
3
Do your best to answer all the reviewers’ comments and try to convince them. Remember that you should not apply all the reviewers’ comments if they question the accuracy of your article. If you disagree with a reviewers’ comment, do not apply it, but do not leave it unanswered as well. The reason is that the article will be eventually published by your name, not the reviewers! And you are the one who has to answer a lot of researchers, not the reviewer!
4
Leave no comment or request unanswered under no circumstances. For example, if the reviewer asked you to do a test that you think is not necessary and you do not intend to add it to your article, you must explain why this test is not necessary and persuade the reviewer. You can even use a specific reference to prove your point and respond to that comment in the best way you can, rather than passing it on without any answer.
5
Do not say “I think this part of my article is true” in answer to a reviewer’s comment. Obviously, the reviewer believes that something is wrong, otherwise, she/he wouldn’t have said anything about it. So if you disagree with a reviewers’ comment then show your disagreement by using reliable references and logical reasoning rather than personal opinions.
6
The reviewers could find problems with the English of your article. This is normal for those who are not native English speakers. You can use DoNotEdit English editing services to make sure that your article’s English is flawless.
Correction and Revision
Journals generally announce their answer (whether the article needs revision or is rejected) after 2-6 months. The journal may accept your article without requiring any changes. But this does not happen very often. Most of the time you will need to revise and edit the article. This means that the editor accepts your article under the condition that you make minor or major changes based on the comments of the reviewers. In this case, the journal sets a deadline for you to make the required changes.
If too much time has passed since the submission of the article, update your references. Try your best to apply the corrections before the deadline. If in a particular case it is not possible to make the required changes, you can contact the editor and state your reasons. After finishing this process, review your article again, as if it is a new article. After making sure that you have applied and responded to all the comments, submit it again.