Skip to main content
OJS for Everyone Logo
OJS for EveryoneThe Practical GuidebookRSYN Research LLP

Making Editorial Decisions

When to Record a Decision​

You should record an editorial decision after you have:

  1. Received the minimum required number of completed reviews
  2. Read all reviewer comments (including editor-only notes)
  3. Formed your own assessment of the manuscript
Section Editor authority

Depending on your journal's configuration, Section Editors may have full authority to record decisions, or they may only be able to recommend a decision to the Editor-in-Chief. Check with your journal manager if you are unsure of your authorisation level.

The Five Decision Types​

OJS provides five standard editorial decision outcomes. Each one triggers a different workflow path and author notification.

DecisionMeaningWhat Happens Next
Accept SubmissionThe manuscript is accepted as-is or with only minor copy-editing changesSubmission moves to the Copyediting stage
Revisions RequiredThe manuscript needs changes before it can be accepted; same review roundAuthor is notified; they upload revised files for your review
Resubmit for ReviewMajor revisions needed; the revised version will be treated as a new submission for a fresh review roundAuthor revises and resubmits; you open a new review round
Resubmit ElsewhereThe manuscript is not suitable for this journal but may fit another venueSubmission is declined; author encouraged to submit elsewhere
Decline SubmissionThe manuscript is rejectedSubmission is archived; author receives rejection notice
Choosing between Revisions Required and Resubmit for Review

Use Revisions Required when you are confident the authors can address the concerns and you (or the same reviewers) can confirm the revisions are satisfactory. Use Resubmit for Review when the revisions are so substantial that fresh reviewer eyes are warranted.

Recording a Decision​

  1. Open the submission workspace from Dashboard → My Queue
  2. Ensure you are in the Review stage
  3. Scroll to the Editorial Decision section (or click Record Decision in the stage header)
  4. Select one of the five decision types from the dropdown
  5. Proceed to the Notify Author step

Customising the Author Notification Email​

After selecting the decision, OJS pre-populates a notification email. Before sending:

  1. Review the Subject line — edit it to be specific if needed
  2. Read through the Body — OJS inserts the decision label automatically
  3. Include a summary of key reviewer concerns if your journal's policy requires it
What to include

Most journals expect the notification to summarise the main points reviewers raised. Do not paste the full review text into the email unless your policy explicitly permits it and the anonymity model allows it.

  1. If the decision is Revisions Required or Resubmit for Review, specify a revision deadline in the email body
  2. Click Record Decision to save the decision and send the email simultaneously

What Happens After Each Decision​

Accept Submission​

  • The submission moves automatically to Copyediting
  • You will be prompted to select which files to send to the Copyediting stage
  • A Copyeditor is assigned (by you or by the Editor-in-Chief)

Revisions Required​

  • The author receives the notification email with revision instructions
  • The author uploads revised files through their dashboard
  • You receive a notification when revised files are uploaded
  • You review the revisions and either accept or open a new review round

Resubmit for Review​

  • Similar to Revisions Required, but when revised files arrive you start a new review round rather than accepting directly

Resubmit Elsewhere / Decline Submission​

  • The submission moves to Archives
  • The author receives the decline notification
  • No further editorial action is required; the submission is read-only
Reversing a decision

In most OJS configurations a recorded decision cannot be reversed from the Review stage UI. Contact your Journal Manager if a decision was recorded in error — they can reinstate the submission to the correct stage.

Further Reading​