Imam Agus Basuki, Imam Suyitno, Bambang Prastio
Purpose: Research on the rejection of articles by reputable journals has received little attention, as it is often considered a taboo subject. To address this gap, this qualitative case study explores the experiences of six doctoral students from Java, Indonesia, using appraisal theory with a specific focus on negative effects. Method: Rapport techniques were employed during interviews with participants, and thematic data analysis was used to categorize responses based on emerging themes. Findings: The findings reveal that dissatisfaction is the most frequent type of negative affect, accounting for 47.4% of occurrences, followed by insecurity at 28.3% and unhappiness at 24.3%. These negative effects manifest in various forms. Dissatisfaction is reflected in dispositions such as discouragement, annoyance, irritation, disgust, disinterest, and anger, as well as behaviors like criticism, vigilance, reprimanding, and carelessness. Insecurity is expressed through dispositions like suffering, anxiety, fear, and disorientation, alongside behaviors such as restlessness, trembling, screaming, and worry. Meanwhile, unhappiness appears in dispositions including sadness, hatred, feeling down, and dislike, and behaviors such as crying, belittling, lamenting, and cursing. Discussion: Despite these negative emotions, participants reported that they did not experience complete discouragement. Instead, they acknowledged these feelings as opportunities to reflect on their abilities and improve their submissions. While the emotions caused participants to feel less confident and question their competence, they also served as motivators for enhancing the quality of future work. In summary, this research demonstrates that Indonesian doctoral students face negative effects when their articles are rejected, but they show resilience and determination in overcoming these challenges. Originality/Implications: It suggests that doctoral students struggling with publication requirements should adopt effective coping strategies and seek guidance from supervisors and institutional support systems. Such measures are believed to help improve the quality of submitted manuscripts, enhance publication success rates, and ultimately reduce negative effects. Limitations and Further Research: However, the study is limited by its small participant pool. Future research, therefore, could expand the participant pool and diversify the application of appraisal theory. © 2025, Artseduca. All rights reserved.
Indonesian Language Education, Faculty of Letters, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia
