Optimizing Scientific Manuscript Preparation for Scopus-Indexed Publication: A Comprehensive, Critical Review of Best Practices, Pitfalls, and Research-Validated Strategies

The growing demand for publication in Scopus-indexed journals has reshaped the priorities of researchers, particularly in the medical sciences, where academic advancement and institutional reputation are closely tied to indexed output. Yet, despite extensive guidance on scientific writing, no review has critically synthesized the diverse methodological, ethical, and practical challenges that shape manuscript preparation in the contemporary era of artificial intelligence. This systematic review follows PRISMA 2020 recommendations to evaluate current evidence on best practices, common pitfalls, and emerging strategies that influence successful publication. Searches across major databases and registers identified 1,462 records, of which 39 studies met eligibility criteria. Included literature addressed core domains of manuscript structure, journal selection, research integrity, AI-assisted writing, reviewer expectations, and the evolving landscape of predatory publishing. Findings reveal that successful submissions stem from a convergence of conceptual clarity, methodological rigor, ethical transparency, and strategic alignment with journal scope. Contrary to common assumptions, Scopus acceptance is influenced less by article processing charges or co-authorship prestige and more by adherence to guidelines, clarity of argumentation, and demonstrable novelty. AI tools offer meaningful improvements in organization and linguistic refinement but carry ethical constraints, particularly regarding undisclosed use, fabricated citations, and authorship attribution. Across studies, consistent themes emerged: the importance of humanizing narrative tone, maintaining transparency in AI involvement, and preparing figures, tables, and references early in the drafting process. This review provides an integrated, evidence-informed blueprint for authors seeking to optimize manuscript preparation and navigate the increasingly complex pathway toward Scopus-indexed publication.