Understanding Technical Pre-Check and Editorial Pre-Check

The Critical Stages Before Peer Review

Many researchers view peer review as the first major hurdle in the publication process. However, before a manuscript reaches reviewers, it typically undergoes two important screening stages: the technical pre-check and the editorial pre-check.

These preliminary assessments play a crucial role in maintaining publication quality, ensuring compliance with journal requirements, and protecting the efficiency of the peer-review process. In fact, many manuscripts are returned to authors or declined before peer review because they do not successfully pass these initial evaluations. For authors aiming to publish in high-quality scholarly journals, understanding these screening stages can significantly improve submission readiness and reduce avoidable delays.

Why Pre-Checks Matter

Journal editors and editorial offices manage a large volume of submissions. Sending every manuscript directly to peer reviewers would be inefficient and could place unnecessary burdens on reviewers.

Pre-checks help journals:

• Maintain publication standards.
• Improve review efficiency.
• Ensure guideline compliance.
• Identify ethical concerns early.
• Verify manuscript completeness.
• Protect reviewer resources.

For technology-focused journals such as UTJ, where submissions often involve rapidly evolving fields including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software engineering, data science, cloud computing, and ubiquitous technologies, these checks help ensure that only suitable and well-prepared manuscripts proceed to formal review.

What Is a Technical Pre-Check?

A technical pre-check is usually the first evaluation conducted after manuscript submission. This stage focuses primarily on administrative, formatting, and submission-related requirements rather than the scientific quality of the research. The objective is to determine whether the manuscript complies with the journal’s submission guidelines.

Common Elements of a Technical Pre-Check

Editorial staff may examine:

Manuscript Completeness

Editors verify that all required components have been included, such as:

• Title page.
• Abstract.
• Keywords.
• Main manuscript.
• References.
• Figures and tables.
• Supplementary files (if applicable).

Formatting Compliance

Journals often assess whether authors have followed required formatting instructions. This may include:

• Document structure.
• Heading organization.
• Reference style.
• Figure placement.
• Table formatting.
• File format requirements.

Failure to follow guidelines can result in manuscripts being returned for corrections.

Reference Accuracy

Technical checks frequently include an initial review of references to ensure:

• Consistent formatting.
• Complete citation information.
• Appropriate citation style.
• Functional DOI links where applicable.

Figure and Table Quality

Visual elements are evaluated for:

• Readability.
• Resolution.
• Label clarity.
• Appropriate file formats.

Low-quality figures can affect both review and publication quality.

What Is an Editorial Pre-Check?

Once technical requirements have been satisfied, the manuscript often proceeds to an editorial pre-check. Unlike the technical review, this stage focuses on the scholarly suitability of the manuscript. Editors assess whether the submission is appropriate for peer review based on its content, relevance, and overall quality.

Scope and Relevance Assessment

One of the most important editorial questions is:

Does this manuscript fit the journal’s aims and scope?

Editors evaluate whether the study aligns with the journal’s research focus and readership. Even well-executed research may be declined if it falls outside the journal’s thematic priorities.

Novelty and Contribution

Editors seek evidence that the manuscript offers meaningful scholarly value. Questions often include:

• Is the research original?
• Does it address a significant problem?
• Does it contribute new knowledge?
• Does it advance theory or practice?

Scientific Quality Screening

Although not as detailed as peer review, editors conduct an initial evaluation of scientific quality. They may consider research design, methodological clarity, data presentation, logical structure. and interpretation of findings.

Ethical Compliance

Editorial pre-checks frequently include ethical screening. Editors may verify authorship transparency, conflict of interest disclosures, originality requirements. Addressing these elements clearly within the manuscript helps facilitate editorial evaluation.

Common Reasons Manuscripts Fail Pre-Checks

Many submission delays originate from avoidable issues.

Technical Pre-Check Problems

Common examples include:

• Missing files.
• Incorrect formatting.
• Incomplete references.
• Poor figure quality.
• Missing author information.
• Failure to follow submission instructions.

Editorial Pre-Check Problems

Frequent concerns include out-of-scope research, limited novelty, weak methodology, poor language quality, insufficient literature review and ethical concerns. Understanding these issues allows authors to address them before submission.

How Authors Can Prepare Successfully

A strong manuscript preparation process can significantly improve pre-check outcomes.

Review Journal Guidelines Carefully

Authors should thoroughly review submission instructions before preparing the manuscript.

Use a Submission Checklist

A structured checklist helps ensure that all required materials are included.

Verify Formatting Consistency

Check headings, references, tables, figures, and citations for compliance.

Strengthen the Introduction and Contribution Statement

Editors should immediately understand the significance and originality of the study.

Conduct a Final Quality Review

Before submission, evaluate the manuscript from an editor’s perspective rather than solely as an author.

This approach often reveals issues that may otherwise be overlooked.

Technical Pre-Check vs. Editorial Pre-Check

Although these stages are closely connected, their objectives differ.

Technical Pre-Check	Editorial Pre-Check
Focuses on compliance	Focuses on scholarly suitability
Reviews formatting and files	Reviews research quality and relevance
Conducted by editorial staff	Conducted by editors
Ensures submission completeness	Assesses publication potential
Verifies guideline adherence	Evaluates novelty and scope

Understanding this distinction helps authors prepare more effectively for each stage.

Technical pre-checks and editorial pre-checks are essential quality-control mechanisms in scholarly publishing. They help journals maintain standards, improve peer-review efficiency, and ensure that only suitable manuscripts proceed to detailed evaluation. For researchers, these stages should not be viewed as administrative obstacles but as opportunities to strengthen manuscript quality before peer review begins. Careful attention to formatting requirements, ethical standards, scope alignment, research originality, and overall presentation can significantly improve the likelihood of a successful submission. The strongest manuscripts often succeed not only because of excellent research, but because they are thoroughly prepared long before the first reviewer reads them.