What should authors do prior to manuscript submission?

Designating a corresponding author is a crucial step prior to manuscript submission. The corresponding author is the individual responsible for managing communication with the journal during the submission process and often throughout the review process. This role includes handling inquiries from editors, responding to peer reviewer comments, and coordinating the manuscript's revision and resubmission if needed. Having a designated corresponding author ensures clear communication and adherence to publication requirements, which is essential for a smooth submission and review process.

While reviewing published articles in the field, collecting data from other studies, and deciding on the publication platform are all important considerations in a research project, they are less critical at the point of submitting a manuscript. The focus on establishing who will act as the corresponding author directly impacts the operational efficiency of the manuscript's journey through the peer review process.