I recently submitted my manuscript to Journal of optics (IOP Publishing). Unfortunately,I noticed that I forgot to add one specific figure to the paper. The general quality of the manuscript is good. I was wondering if I would be able to add that figure maybe in the revision process. Do you think reviewers suggest a major revision or a minor one, or maybe a reject and resubmit? The exact question is that to what extent one can modify his/her manuscript while it is considered a minor change and hopefully an acceptance? (Is just adding a figure a big change?) Thank you for your time and consideration.
2 Answers
As long as your paper is under revision, you can improve things. Those improvements are not limited to those suggested by the reviewers, however:
- The improvements should not change the nature of the paper too much, or you will annoy editor and reviewers. Make sure they haven't wasted their time by reading the first edition.
- Make clear that you have made this addition. Some reviewers may only look at alterations based on their own recommendations, rather than re-reading the whole paper from start to end.
Once your paper is accepted, you can no longer add new data, text, or figures.
As I know, it it not always possible to add figure or data once you submit the manuscript through the submission portal unless the Handling Editor can approve your request. You can write an email to him. If the paper is in very early stage of submission, then he may allow to add or upload new version.
Regarding the next query, the acceptance totally depends on the quality of the version that the reviewers have with them. Since it is a peer-review process, you can add the extra figure or plot once the paper is either accepted or allowed for resubmission.
