Nature Communications

Scope & Guideline

Transforming Ideas into Impactful Science

Introduction

Welcome to the Nature Communications information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of Nature Communications, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN-
PublisherNATURE PORTFOLIO
Support Open AccessNo
Country-
Type-
Converge-
AbbreviationNAT COMMUN / Nat. Commun.
Frequency1 issue/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressHEIDELBERGER PLATZ 3, BERLIN 14197, GERMANY

Aims and Scopes

Nature Communications is a multidisciplinary journal that publishes high-quality research across various scientific fields. Its primary aim is to foster the dissemination of significant findings that advance our understanding of natural phenomena, encourage collaboration among researchers, and ensure a broad reach of impactful science.
  1. Multidisciplinary Research:
    The journal covers a wide range of disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, and materials science, making it a platform for cross-disciplinary research.
  2. Innovative Methodologies:
    Nature Communications emphasizes the use of innovative methodologies and cutting-edge technologies in research, including advanced imaging techniques, omics approaches, and machine learning applications.
  3. Focus on Impactful Scientific Contributions:
    The journal prioritizes studies that contribute to the advancement of science and technology, particularly those that address pressing global challenges such as climate change, health crises, and sustainability.
  4. Open Access Publishing:
    As an open access journal, Nature Communications ensures that published research is freely accessible to the global scientific community and the public, promoting transparency and wider dissemination of knowledge.
  5. Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    The journal encourages collaborative research efforts that combine expertise from different scientific fields to tackle complex issues, reflecting the interconnected nature of modern scientific challenges.
Nature Communications has been at the forefront of several emerging research themes that reflect current scientific priorities and technological advancements. These trends highlight the journal's responsiveness to the evolving landscape of science.
  1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Applications:
    There is a growing trend towards the integration of AI and machine learning in various research fields, from genomics to materials science, indicating a shift towards data-driven methodologies.
  2. Sustainable and Green Technologies:
    Research focused on sustainability, including renewable energy, waste reduction, and eco-friendly materials, is increasingly prominent, reflecting global priorities in combating climate change.
  3. Advanced Therapeutics and Precision Medicine:
    Emerging themes in personalized medicine, including gene editing technologies like CRISPR and novel therapeutic strategies for complex diseases, are trending as researchers seek targeted and effective treatments.
  4. Microbiome Research:
    The study of microbiomes, particularly their role in health and disease, is gaining traction, showcasing the importance of microbial communities in various biological processes.
  5. Nanotechnology and Materials Science:
    Research involving nanomaterials and their applications in electronics, medicine, and energy storage is increasingly prevalent, demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of modern science.

Declining or Waning

While Nature Communications maintains a broad focus, certain themes have shown a decline in publication frequency over recent years. These waning areas indicate shifts in research priorities and emerging scientific interests.
  1. Traditional Medicinal Chemistry:
    Research focused on traditional medicinal chemistry approaches has decreased, likely due to the rise of biotechnological and genomic methods that offer more innovative solutions for drug discovery.
  2. Basic Environmental Studies:
    Papers solely dedicated to basic environmental studies without a clear application or technological advancement are less frequently published, as the journal shifts towards studies with direct implications for policy and management.
  3. Conventional Genetic Studies:
    The prevalence of conventional genetic studies, particularly those lacking novel methodological advancements or integration with other omics data, appears to be waning as interest grows in multi-omics and systems biology approaches.
  4. Descriptive Ecological Studies:
    There is a noticeable reduction in purely descriptive studies in ecology, as the field moves towards more hypothesis-driven research that incorporates experimental and theoretical frameworks.
  5. Philosophical or Theoretical Papers:
    Papers that are predominantly philosophical or theoretical without substantial empirical data are becoming less common, indicating a preference for data-driven research.

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