When Is a Paper Ready for Submission?

As PhD students, we often agonize over the same question: When is a paper “good enough” to submit? It’s a puzzle with no clear answer, but thankfully, my department often invites seasoned editors from top journals to share their wisdom. Over time, I’ve collected two memorable pieces of advice that have stuck with me.

Story #1: Feedback from the Audience

One day, a senior editor from MIS Quarterly (let’s call him CW) shared a humbling story. He had spent months touring his latest paper, presenting it at over ten top universities across China. Initially, the audiences asked a mix of questions, including some about his methodology and research question. With each presentation, he revised and refined his paper based on the feedback he received.

But after several presentations, something strange happened. The questions stopped being about his research question or methodology. Instead, they were all about minor clarifications. That’s when it hit him: if no one is questioning the research question or method itself anymore, it’s probably good enough to move forward. With that realization, he submitted the paper.

Story #2: The Marginal Benefits Rule

Another MIS Quarterly editor, MZ, gave a different perspective:

“When your paper doesn’t deserve another round of revision, it’s time to submit.”

He explained that after a certain point, the marginal benefits of revising — those tiny, incremental improvements — simply aren’t worth the time and effort. At that stage, it’s better to submit and let the reviewers weigh in.

While this advice makes sense in theory, as a junior scholar, it feels tricky to apply. How do we know when we’ve hit that point? Unlike senior researchers, we lack the instincts to judge whether our paper is “good enough” or still needs work.

What’s the Takeaway?

For me, CW’s advice is more practical. When you present your work and all you get are clarification questions — that’s a clear signal to submit your paper. On the other hand, MZ’s “marginal benefits” rule feels like something I’ll understand better with experience.

Ultimately, deciding when to submit is less about perfection and more about trusting your instincts — and, sometimes, your audience. And if you’re stuck? Submit it anyway. There’s no better teacher than a reviewer’s feedback (as painful as it might be).

Good luck, and may the reviewer gods be kind!