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2 years ago in Scholarly Contribution By Shreya K

My paper got a reviewer comment saying, "the contribution is limited." What does this actually mean, and how should I revise to address it?

I submitted what I thought was a solid study, but Reviewer 2's main critique was that the contribution is limited or marginal. This feels vague and subjective. How should I interpret this feedback, and what concrete steps can I take in my revision to strengthen the perceived contribution?

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By Pavithra sp Answered 3 weeks ago

This common critique often means one of two things: either your findings are perceived as too narrow/obvious, or you haven't successfully argued for their broader importance. First, re-examine your Discussion and Introduction. Are you merely restating results, or are you explaining their implications for theory, policy, or practice? To revise, explicitly add sections on "Theoretical Implications" and "Practical Applications." Connect your specific findings to bigger debates in the field. Secondly, temper your claims. Sometimes "limited" means you over-promised. Scale back broad claims in the intro and instead offer a focused, robust contribution—a clear, humble advance is more respected than a shaky, grand one. Show the reader precisely who your work helps and what it allows them to do or understand next.

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