Nature Publishing Group is launching a new online, open access publication called Scientific Reports. Coverage includes primary, original re search in the natural sciences including biology, chemistry, earth sciences, and physics. Clinical research is not included at this time. The purpose of Scientific Reports is to provide rapid access to peer-reviewed research. Papers describing negative results will be considered if their insight is useful. The main criterion for inclusion is the technical soundness of the research.
There is an article processing fee of $1,380 for articles accepted before December 31, 2011, after which the charge will be $1,700. Authors retain copyright for their article, with content licensed under one of two Creative Commons licenses. The first articles will appear in June 2011.
Why publish in Scientific Reports? This product appeals to authors who value speed of publication; those whose papers are technically sound but do not have a conceptual advance in the field; or those whose papers describe negative results.
The articles will be available on the publication’s Web site and on PubMed Central. Also included on the Web site will be lists of the most-downloaded, most-emailed, and most-blogged articles. Publication will be continuous so papers will be published as they become available.
Parts of this article were reprinted from Scientific Reports FAQs.
~ Linda Hartman