Oh god I don't know where to start. I am just finishing my phd, 3.5 years. Thesis written and starting corrections from my supervisors. The main bulk of my work is in a single paper which has now been rejected three times by various journals. Last week I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety by my gp. I have started medication. I don't think I will get my phd because three journals think my work does not contribute significantly to the current knowledge. I have one paper published as first author but it is not entirely related to my phd. I am second co author on two papers again not directly related to my phd. I don't know whether to pack it in now or continue submitting this paper. My supervisors think it is adding to the current knowledge but I don't think any other scientist in our field thinks it is of any benefit. What should I do?

Hi Nottie, if it's any consolation, I've had a paper rejected from a few journals. What reasons have they given you for rejection? Is it related to the rigour of your study, or have they given you other reasons, like it doesn't fit in with the 'mission' of the journal? Try not to get to worked up about it and see if you can submit it elsewhere. Try newer journals or those that are seen as less prestigious. Something I did as well when submitting my article was append a letter relating my research to existing studies in my target journal, showing how it would fit in. Best wishes.

Don't be too disheartened Nottie, I've had my last two papers rejected, even though I feel they contributed more than the one paper that was published on my first attempt! The primary reason wasn't anything to do with quality or value, it was just that that last paper gave a positive result, while the other two were negative. I've also had reviews in which reviewer one raved about the relevance and accuracy of my work, while reviewer two dismissed it as utterly worthless on every front - there's no one "right" answer in these things!

If your supervisors believe in the work and you have other publications then try not to worry. But perhaps (unless it's very time sensitive) cut yourself a little slack and put the paper to one side until you've finished the phd write-up. The chances of having it in print before you submit are probably slim at this point, so note it as "under submission" and focus on the thesis. I've struggled with anxiety and depression throughout my phd too, it's heavy going and you need to cut out any stress you can just now. Spend your time getting well and getting written up, then you can come back to the paper (perhaps even wih useful insights from your viva) once the phd is sorted out.

Thank you for your replies, I really appreciate it. I have kept with the corrections my supervisors have given me for my first few chapters but with my paper continuously being rejected it is very hard to feel that the time I am investing in writing an correcting is really getting me anywhere. Regarding my paper the first journals reviewers stated that the study was quite complete with a large amount of data collected and characterisation experiments carried out however the end result did not add anything of significant advance in the area. The second journals reviewers thought the entire study was long winded, a waste, too much detail and data that was not adding to the current knowledge etc. The third journal rejected at editorial point prior to review but recommended the work for a member journal that does not have an impact factor. This is see at present as a reflection of the potential that my phd has of passing the viva. I am at my wits end with the entire thing.

Don't see the rejection of your work by a few journals as a sign of the quality of your PhD. Your PhD is first and foremost a training exercise in becoming an independent researcher. Sometimes it can be luck of the draw with reviewers. I've come across some right nasty ones in my time. I actually inadvertently offended a reviewer of one of my papers by suggesting that people over 55 were 'older adults'. She gave me a scathing review, regarding the term, saying that she's over 55 and is offended by the fact that she is considered 'older'! Suffice it to say that I didn't quite make the grade for my intended journal! The fact that the editor of the last journal you submitted to recommended that you submit to another journal means that it's definitely of publishable quality. And to be co-author on two papers that are external to your PhD is a really big achievement. So consider sending it off to the other journal - I've published in one without an impact factor and my paper is [ego alert] a highly accessed one. Good luck with your viva - you'll be fine! :-)