#Copy editing scientific manuscripts how to

The initial judgement is not a reflection on the technical validity of the work described, or on its importance to people in the same field. The criteria for a paper to be sent for peer-review are that the results seem novel, arresting (illuminating, unexpected or surprising), and that the work described has both immediate and far-reaching implications. On submission, the manuscript is assigned to an editor covering the subject area, who seeks informal advice from scientific advisors and editorial colleagues, and who makes this initial decision. The first stage for a newly submitted Article is that the editorial staff consider whether to send it for peer-review. After submission What happens to a submitted Article? Authors submitting to Nature do so on the understanding that they agree to these policies. The cover letter is not shared with the referees, and should be used to provide confidential information such as conflicts of interest and to declare any related work that is in press or submitted elsewhere.Īll Nature editors report to the Editor of Nature, who sets Nature's publication policies. Please avoid repeating information that is already present in the abstract and introduction. Manuscripts should be submitted via our online manuscript submission system. Although optional, the cover letter is an excellent opportunity to briefly discuss the importance of the submitted work and why it is appropriate for the journal.

#Copy editing scientific manuscripts how to

How to submit an ArticleĪuthors should use the formatting guide section to ensure that the level, length and format (particularly the layout of figures and tables and any Supplementary Information) conforms with Nature's requirements, at submission and each revision stage.

One reason is because each referee sees only a tiny fraction of the papers submitted and is deeply knowledgeable about one field, whereas the editors, who see all the papers submitted, can have a broader perspective and a wider context from which to view the paper. The judgement about which papers will interest a broad readership is made by Nature's editors, not its referees. Decisions are quicker, and editorial criteria can be made uniform across disciplines. Nature does not employ an editorial board of senior scientists, nor is it affiliated to a scientific society or institution, thus its decisions are independent, unbiased by scientific or national prejudices of particular individuals. Most submissions are declined without being sent out for peer review. As a result, only about 8% of submitted manuscripts will be accepted for publication. Nature’s aim is to publish the best research across a wide range of scientific fields, which means it has to be highly selective. therapeutic papers: in the absence of novel mechanistic insight, therapeutic papers will be considered if the therapeutic effect reported will provide significant impact on an important disease.Īrticles published in Nature have an exceptionally wide impact, both among scientists and, frequently, among the general public.technical papers: papers that make solely technical advances will be considered in cases where the technique reported will have significant impacts on communities of fellow researchers.large dataset papers: should aim to either report a fully comprehensive data set, defined by complete and extensive validation, or provide significant technical advance or scientific insight.reach a conclusion of interest to an interdisciplinary readership.įurther editorial criteria may be applicable for different kinds of papers, as follows:.are of outstanding scientific importance.report original scientific research (the main results and conclusions must not have been published or submitted elsewhere).The criteria for publication of scientific papers (Articles) in Nature are that they:

This document provides an outline of the editorial process involved in publishing a scientific paper (Article) in Nature, and describes how manuscripts are handled by editors between submission and publication.Įditorial processes are described for the following stages: At submission | After submission | After acceptance At submission