Can I submit the same article to multiple journals simultaneously?

No, simultaneous submission of the same manuscript to multiple journals is generally considered unacceptable and a serious breach of publishing ethics within academia. It constitutes duplicate submission, which journals explicitly prohibit. This practice violates fundamental principles of academic integrity and journal policies. Key reasons include its potential to waste valuable editorial and reviewer time, create significant copyright conflicts if multiple journals accept the article, and undermine the peer review process designed for exclusive evaluation. Adherence to ethical publishing standards requires submitting a manuscript to only one journal at a time, clearly stated in the submission guidelines of reputable publications. Authors must respect this prohibition to maintain trust. The correct procedure involves submitting exclusively to one journal and awaiting its editorial decision before considering submission elsewhere. Authors should carefully consult and follow the specific author instructions of their chosen journal. If the manuscript is rejected or withdrawn, the author may then submit it to another publication, ensuring compliance with each journal's policies and ethical norms throughout the scholarly publishing process.