Nature (journal)

Nature cover, November 4, 1869

Nature citations per article, 2013-2015

The Scattering of Electrons by a Single Crystal of Nickel.pdf

Nature Materials Nov 2008

Nature is a British multidisciplinary scientific journal, first published on 4 November 1869. It is one of the most recognizable and respected scientific journals in the world, covering a wide range of fields in science and technology. Nature publishes peer-reviewed research from various disciplines within science, including physics, chemistry, earth sciences, biology, and medicine. The journal is known for its rigorous selection process and the high impact of its articles.

History

Nature was founded by Sir Joseph Norman Lockyer, an English scientist and astronomer, with the intention of providing a platform for the dissemination of world-class research across the natural sciences. The journal was established to allow scientists to communicate their findings to the broader scientific community and the public, at a time when scientific communication was not as accessible as it is today.

Content and Publication

The content of Nature includes original research articles, reviews, editorials, news and commentary on significant developments in the science community, and letters. Nature's articles are characterized by their high quality, relevance, and contribution to the field of science. The journal has a highly competitive selection process, with a low acceptance rate for submitted manuscripts, ensuring that only groundbreaking and significant studies are published.

Impact

Nature is renowned for its impact on the scientific community and its ability to attract groundbreaking research. The journal has a high impact factor, a measure of the frequency with which the average article in a journal has been cited in a particular year, making it one of the most cited scientific journals globally. Publications in Nature are often considered milestones in the careers of scientists.

Accessibility

Nature is available both online and in print, with a significant portion of its content accessible to subscribers. However, the journal has also moved towards greater open access, allowing non-subscribers limited access to articles or making some content freely available after a certain period.

Criticism and Controversy

Despite its prestige, Nature has faced criticism and controversy, particularly regarding its peer-review process, the high cost of subscription, and issues of reproducibility of published research. These criticisms reflect broader debates within the scientific community about publication practices, access to scientific research, and the reliability of peer-reviewed studies.

Conclusion

Nature continues to be a leading journal in the scientific community, contributing significantly to the advancement of science and technology. Its commitment to publishing high-quality research and fostering communication among scientists worldwide has solidified its status as a cornerstone of scientific literature.