JAMA Network · Otorhinolaryngology

JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery: acceptance rate, review time, and how to prepare

In 2025, JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery received 1,730 manuscripts and accepted 14% overall and 10% of research manuscripts. The median first decision took 8 d without peer review and 50 d with it. Every figure below is quoted from the journal's own Year in Review editorials (2023–2025) and instructions for authors, captured 2026-09-12.

Submission requirementsJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery at JAMA Network ↗
Sources: 3 annual editorials · instructions for authors · Scimago 2024
1,730
Manuscripts received, 2025
1,253 research
14%
Acceptance rate, 2025
10% research
8 d
First decision without review, median
2025
50 d
First decision with review, median
2025
Acceptance rate

What is JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery’s acceptance rate?

The journal publishes the answer itself. Its 2025 Year in Review editorial reports 1,730 manuscripts received, 1,253 of them research manuscripts, with an overall acceptance rate of 14% and a research acceptance rate of 10%. Across 2023–2025 the research acceptance rate moved from 9% to 10% while submissions rose 12%.

YearAll manuscripts receivedResearch manuscripts receivedAcceptance, overallAcceptance, researchSource
20251,7301,25314%10%JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery—The Year in Review, 2025
20241,5001,15316%10%JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery—The Year in Review, 2024
20231,5391,10514%9%JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery—The Year in Review, 2023
Timelines

How long does JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery take to reach a decision?

Median days, as published by the journal. 'Without peer review' is the editorial-triage decision; 'with peer review' is the decision after external review.
YearFirst decision, no reviewFirst decision, with reviewReviewer turnaroundAcceptance to publicationReceipt to publication
20258 d50 d———
20248 d59 d13 d60 d126 d
20238 d53 d13 d57 d126 d
2025 Median time to first decision with review fell by 9 days versus 2024
2023 Published 216 manuscripts overall, including 97 Original Investigations and 7 clinical trials
JAMA Network peers, latest published year
JournalYearReceivedAcceptance, overallAcceptance, researchNo reviewWith review
JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery20251,73014%10%8 d50 d
JAMA202511,52610.4%3.9%2.1 d25 d
JAMA Internal Medicine20254,17812%4%1 d35 d
JAMA Network Open202520,2339.9%—2 d49 d
JAMA Pediatrics20253,32510%5%3 d44 d
JAMA Surgery20253,3219%5%10 d40 d
JAMA Dermatology20253,4137%7%3 d36 d
JAMA Cardiology20252,7939%5%8 d51 d
JAMA Neurology20253,2216%5%4 d35 d
JAMA Psychiatry20252,7258%5%2 d31 d
Trend

How has it changed?

+12%
Manuscripts received, 2023 to 2025
1,539 → 1,730
9% → 10%
Research acceptance rate, 2023 to 2025
53 → 50 d
First decision with review, 2023 to 2025
Rejection

What gets papers rejected at JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery?

The Year in Review editorials publish volumes, rates and timelines; they do not itemize reasons for rejection. This is the general evidence, cited.
statistics #1

In a content analysis of 151 medical-education manuscripts, the top reasons for rejection were inappropriate or incomplete statistics, overinterpretation of results, and inappropriate or suboptimal instrumentation. [12][14]

44–76%

Lack of new or useful knowledge was the most common reason for rejection at AJR, accounting for 44–76% of rejections in every country. [3]

2.58 of 9

BMJ reviewers found an average of 2.58 of nine major errors deliberately inserted into a test paper; training raised this only to about 3. [18]

Before you submit

What JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery requires.

From the journal's instructions for authors, captured 2026-09-12. Instructions change; verify on the journal's page before submitting.
Original Investigation requirements
  • 3000 words of text (excluding abstract, tables, figures, acknowledgments, references)
  • Structured abstract, maximum 350 words
  • 50–75 references
  • No more than 5 tables and/or figures
  • Data Sharing Statement for all research articles
  • Clinical trials registered before submission; registry name, ID and URL in the abstract
  • Authorship form sent to all authors after submission
Reporting guidelines the journal names
  • CONSORT (randomized clinical trials)
  • STROBE (cohort, case-control, cross-sectional)
  • PRISMA checklist (systematic reviews)
  • PRISMA flow diagram and checklist, or MOOSE checklist (meta-analyses)
Cover letter: Not required.
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FAQ

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Sources

Where every number on this page comes from.

  1. Piccirillo JF. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery—The Year in Review, 2025. Published online March 19, 2026. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery—The Year in Review, 2025 (captured 2026-09-12).
  2. Piccirillo JF. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery—The Year in Review, 2024. Published online March 20, 2025; 2025;151(5):429–431. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery—The Year in Review, 2024 (captured 2026-09-12).
  3. Piccirillo JF. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery—The Year in Review, 2023. Published online March 21, 2024. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery—The Year in Review, 2023 (captured 2026-09-12).
  4. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. Instructions for Authors. jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/pages/instructions-for-authors (captured 2026-09-12).
  5. Scimago Journal Rank, 2024 edition: SJR 1.448, Q1, H-index 156, ISSN 2168619X, 21686181.

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