When submitting an article to a journal, can it be modified?

Journal submissions are typically modifiable during specific stages of the review and publication process. Authors can usually make changes, primarily before formal acceptance and during proof correction. Modifications before acceptance generally require justification and are contingent upon the journal's policies and peer-review stage. Minor corrections requested by reviewers or editors, typographical fixes, minor clarifications, and updating author details are often permissible. However, substantial alterations to the core arguments, methodology, results, or conclusions post-initial submission are typically discouraged or require editorial approval. Authors must always formally request major changes to the editor handling their manuscript and adhere strictly to the journal's guidelines to avoid desk rejection or delays. The ability to modify submissions supports scholarly accuracy and ensures author responsibility. Its primary application lies in rectifying genuine errors, refining arguments based on reviewer feedback, and incorporating essential minor updates during revisions (pre-acceptance) and proofreading (post-acceptance), ensuring alignment with editorial requirements while maintaining academic integrity within defined limits.