How to get your papers published in Nature

How to get your papers published in Nature journals? 如何�您的�文�鼎 <自然>系列期刊? Rachel Pei Chin Won, Ph. D Associate Editor Nature Photonics 5 March 2008 Rachel PC Won

Overview ● nature and Nature research journals • How to get published - Manuscript preparation - Manuscript submission • Summary Rachel PC Won

nature & Nature research Journals Rachel PC Won

nature Ø nature was launched on 4 Nov 1869 Ø The world’s foremost weekly scientific journal Ø For 2006, nature’s impact factor is 26. 681 Ø A flagship journal of Nature Publishing Group (NPG) Rachel PC Won

nature • A weekly print copy (>65, 000) • An anytime-anywhere electronic rendition of an item or of a print copy (>3 million users of nature. com per month) • A gateway to a seamless flow of relevant and timely information and opinion Rachel PC Won

NPG’s Biological Sciences Division Rachel PC Won

NPG’s Physical Sciences Division Nature Materials Launched in 2002 Impact factor 19. 194 Nature Nanotechnology Nature Physics Launched in Oct 2006 Launched in Oct 2005 Impact factor 12. 040 Nature Photonics Launched in Jan 2007 & Nature Chemistry will be launched in Jan 2009 Nature Geoscience Launched in Jan 2008 Rachel PC Won

Nature Publshing Group’s Publications Nature Research Journals Nature Biotechnology Nature Cell Biology Nature Chemical Biology Nature Genetics Nature Geoscience (Jan 2008) Nature Immunology Nature Materials Nature Medicine Nature Methods Nature Nanotechnology Nature Neuroscience Nature Photonics (Jan 2007) Nature Physics Nature Protocol Nature Structural and Molecular Biology Nature Chemistry (Jan 2009) Nature Review Journals Nature Reviews Cancer Nature Reviews Drug Discovery Nature Reviews Genetics Nature Reviews Immunology Nature Reviews Microbiology Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biol. Nature Reviews Neuroscience Nature Clinical Practice 8 titles Academic Journals Around 40 titles The ISME Journal Rachel PC Won

What makes Nature titles distinct? Ø Ø Ø Highly selective Focus is on quality rather than volume High impact Full-time professional editorial staff No external editorial board or affiliations Editorially independent of each other ü Share general policies but not submissions ü Pass on manuscripts only at request of authors Rachel PC Won

Publications from China 120, 000 United Kingdom Japan 80, 000 China (includes Hong Kong) Korea 60, 000 Singapore Australia 40, 000 New Zealand 20, 000 India 06 20 04 20 02 20 00 20 98 19 96 19 94 19 92 19 90 0 19 Number of Papers in ISI 100, 000 Rachel PC Won

Submissions from China to nature Rachel PC Won

Myth of Editors’ Bias • Ever since Nature’s foundation in 1869, Nature’s editors and editors of all Nature journals have been 100% responsible for selection of papers – no editorial boards. • Editors read and assess papers in a way that is independent of country of origin. • Editors are of many nationalities, including Asian. • Editors visit many countries, including China. • There is no bias against countries by the editors of Nature or Nature journals. Rachel PC Won

How to get published in Nature journals? Rachel PC Won

Steps to a great paper • Thoughtful research 深思/周道的研究 • Thorough preparation 彻底的准备 • Logical exposition 逻辑的说明 Plan your papers -When you plan your research -Again before you start writing the draft Rachel PC Won

Before writing a paper • • • Why does the topic interest YOU? What are the key findings of your work? What was thought/known/done before this work? What’s the main message for your readers? Re-evaluate the original data, not only the ‘for publication’ figures • How does new data change thinking, or support current approach, or open new avenues or research? Rachel PC Won

What editors seek • High degree of novelty or innovation 高度新奇或�新 的主题 • Interesting to a broad range of readers 能引起广泛的读者感兴趣 • Significant step forward 值得注意的的进步 • Breakthrough in performance 突破的表� • High impact in the field 重大的影响 • Important advance in scientific understanding that provides new directions for research 在科学理�上有�著 , �越的�展 为研究提供新的方向 • Data persuasively supports conclusions 可说服性地支持结论的数据 Rachel PC Won

Editorial Processes Submission Editorial assessment Revision requested Decline External peer review Editorial decision Accept Decline Rachel PC Won

Results Several possibilities: • • Accept, with or without editorial revisions Invite the authors to revise their manuscript to address specific concerns Reject, but indicate to the authors that further work might justify a resubmission Reject outright, typically on grounds of specialist interest, lack of novelty, insufficient conceptual advance or technical/interpretational problems Rachel PC Won

How to make an appeal? • Write (not phone) to us and explain why you believe we (referees and editors) have overlooked or misunderstood something • Revised manuscripts normally go back to the same referees; need a strong case to replace a referee as they normally come back with new set of points • The paper must not be submitted for publication elsewhere during this time • It is likely that some time will elapse before we can respond www. nature. com/naturephotonics Rachel PC Won

Manuscript preparation How to get your point across… HINT: Write for both the beginner and the expert Rachel PC Won

Which journal? • Nature is for broadest or deepest impact • Research journals overlap • Depends on the editorial scope of the journal and your target audience … Rachel PC Won

Presubmission enquiry Ask us! • All Nature journals have a presubmission enquiry procedure on the submissions page • It is not compulsory • Simply send in a fully referenced summary with a cover letter and we’ll tell you within 2– 3 working days if it’s suitable • Editors cannot make an absolute commitment to have a contribution refereed before seeing the entire paper Rachel PC Won

Manuscript Transfer System • All Nature journals including Nature are editorially independent • A rejection from one does not mean a rejection from the others • Manuscripts rejected from one journal can be automatically transferred to any of the others • Eliminates need for author to re-input a manuscript • Author’s choice if they wish to do full transfer or just partial transfer • Transfer link can be found at the end of the rejection letter Rachel PC Won

Types of submission • Letter usual format for research findings, up to 1500 w • Article more detailed study, around 2000 – 3000 w • Review article overviews of an up and coming topic, 4000 – 5000 w • Commentaries opinion articles on topics that are considered of wideranging appeal and timely • News & Views short articles explaining the significance of a recent piece of research (not your own) Rachel PC Won

General format for Letters and Articles • Double-spaced • Normal A 4 paper, single column in word or Latex format • English as in Oxford English dictionary • Title, text, methods, references, end notes (Supplementary Information, Acknowledgements, author contributions (optional)), tables and figure legends Rachel PC Won

Title • Clear and attractive • Not too general or vague • Not too long, less than 90 characters for Letters & less than 75 characters for Articles (incl. spaces) • Does not normally include numbers, acronyms, abbreviations or punctuation • Instead of: “Record electro-optic coefficient of 170 pm/V and V of 1 V at 1. 55 μm in hybrid crosslinkable polymer/sol-gel waveguide modulators”, why not: “Hybrid polymer/sol-gel waveguide modulators with exceptionally large electrooptic coefficient”? Rachel PC Won

Articles • Original reports with substantial advance in understanding of an important problem and have immediate, far-reaching implications • Do not normally exceed 5 pages • Summary of up to 150 words • Introduction of about 500 words • 2 Headings: Results and Discussions • 6 subheadings in Results • Main Text of typically 3000 words (excl. summary, incl. Introduction) • 5 -6 displays (figures or tables) • Up to 50 References Rachel PC Won

Summary 150 words Heading 1: Results Introduction 500 words 6 Subheadings Rachel PC Won

Articles Summary • 150 words • equivalent to Abstract in many journals • separate from main text • no references, numbers, abbreviations, acronyms or measurements • aimed at readers outside the discipline • 2 -3 sentences of basic-level introduction • a brief account of the background and motivation of the work • a statement of main conclusions (introduced by “Here we show…”) • 2 -3 sentences putting the main findings into general context Rachel PC Won

Letters • Short reports of original research focused on an outstanding finding that will be of interest to scientists in other fields • Do not normally exceed 4 pages • No summary or introduction sections • Introductory paragraph of about 200 words • Main text of not more than 1500 words (excl. introductory paragraph) • No subheadings • Discussion does not repeat previous introductory paragraph, briefly conveys the general relevance of the work • 3 -4 displays (figures and tables) • No more than 30 references Rachel PC Won

No summary!!! Introductory Paragraph 200 words No heading!!! Rachel PC Won

Letters Introductory Paragraph • ideally of about 200 words, definitely not more than 300 words • aimed at readers in other disciplines • with references • 2 -3 sentences on basic introduction to the field • one-sentence statement of the main conclusions starting with 'Here we show…' or equivalent phrase • 2 -3 sentences putting the main findings into general context • note that main text will continue to describe the findings of the paper Rachel PC Won

Main text • • • Materials Methods Principles Mechanisms Results with displays Discussion Rachel PC Won

Discussion • Comparison to previous work • Theoretical or practical implications • Conclusion regarding the significance of the work • Limitations • Future work Rachel PC Won

Write with the readers in mind! • Focus on a single main question • Plan the content and organization with an outline especially the flow of reasoning • Use simple, direct and concise wording • Check that all parts are connected with persuasive reasoning, appropriate structure, linkage and context • Express appropriate level of confidence: impossible implausible unlikely plausible possible probable likely certain Rachel PC Won

Paper writing tips • Write in active voice; for example, “We demonstrate…” rather than “It is demonstrated…” • State the present work in present tense • State already published work in past tense • Do not extend your conclusions beyond those that are directly supported by your results • Give potential impact and future work Rachel PC Won

Paper writing tips • Make sure that you reference relevant previous literature • Be concise; format for letters is 1500 words for the main text; put lengthy method and simulation details in separate sections at the end of the paper if you need more space • Clearly put your work into context, explain the importance of your findings in relationship to previous papers • Refer briefly to your results to support your discussion statements Rachel PC Won

Methods • If brief (less than 200 words in total), include them in the text at an appropriate place • Cite a reference to methods published before to save space; with the new addition or variation briefly stated • Can also create a new section called “Methods”; 1000 words, not counted as main text • Figures in “Methods” should be submitted as Supplementary Information Rachel PC Won

Supplementary information • • Supplementary information is encouraged Peer-reviewed Online access only, not in print Material directly relevant to the conclusion of a paper that cannot be included in the printed version for reasons of space or medium, e. g. movie clips or sound files • Not subedited; authors should ensure that it is clearly presented Rachel PC Won

Manuscript Submission Rachel PC Won

Cover Letter • A letter that you submit together with your manuscript but in a separate file only to the editors • Authors are encouraged to write cover letter Rachel PC Won

Cover Letter • Restate main message and significance of paper • Explain in clear and simple terms why the findings are important and what is their potential impact e. g. “first time…”, “big leap in performance…”, “will help enable applications in…”, “new level of understanding…”… • Include a separate summary for non-specialist audience • List the details of the submission - submission type - number of words and figures - any supplementary information and supporting manuscripts Rachel PC Won

Cover Letter • Can suggest referees and include their areas of expertise • Can suggest exclusion list: who should NOT be approached to review the MS because of conflicts of interest • Statements that experiments done comply with animal care and human subject laws • Statement that manuscript is not simultaneously being considered at another journal • Include your contact information (email, phone, address) Rachel PC Won

Cover Letter How not to write a cover letter: What’s wrong ? - Too brief - No explanation as to why paper is important - No suggested list of qualified referees or exclusions - No details of format, length Rachel PC Won

Cover Letter A good example: - Explains paper is letter format - Explains and emphasizes main important points of the paper - Gives a list of referees Rachel PC Won

More tips • Visit Nature’s manuscript formatting guide: www. nature. com/nature/authors/gta/ • Visit Nature journals’ websites www. nature. com/siteindex/ • Read published papers • Always run the spelling checker; no excuse • Find someone you trust who is a native speaker to check your paper Rachel PC Won

Summary • Plan your paper when you plan your research • Consider the reader/listener • Organize your material well - focus sharply - outline - provide appropriate structure, linkage and context • Carefully choose the journal and follow the guidelines • Seek and value feedback and criticism Rachel PC Won

Helpful websites • Sci. Dev. Net’s “How do I? ” www. scidev. net/ms/howdoi/ • Inter-Biotec gives free online writing course to help biomedical scientists www. inter-biotec. com • Human Frontier Program’s “Websites and searching for collaborations” www. hfsp. org/pubs/HFSP_articles/websites-scol. php • Element of Style by William J. Strunk is free online www. bartleby. com/141/ • Nature has one-page downloadable information sheet on “summary paragraph” and many more… www. nature. com/authors/author_services/how_write. html Rachel PC Won

如何�您的�文�鼎 <自然>系列期刊? �� ! Rachel Pei Chin Won, Ph. D Associate Editor Nature Photonics Rachel PC Won

Summary in Articles & introductory paragraph in Letters • • The most-read section of any paper Key points: 1. One or two broad general statements to orient the reader, set the stage, and provide context 2. Concise description of results, with mention of methodology used 3. Major conclusion 4. How this advances the field - why this is significant for readers Rachel PC Won

Summary in Articles or introductory paragraph in Letters How to confuse your readers? – Mix already published conclusions with claims made in this paper – Overinterpret & overspeculate – Misrepresent the data or conclusions – End with a throw-away line: “…effect on butterfly wings are discussed. ” when it is better with: “The iridescent scales of the Morpho butterfly give a different optical response to different individual vapours, and that this optical response dramatically outperforms that of existing nanoengineered photonic sensors. ” Rachel PC Won

Paper writing tips • All variables should be defined • Avoid ambiguous use of pronouns “this”, “that”, “these”, … • Avoid jargons and the excessive use of abbreviations and acronyms • Don’t make claims that you are not sure, avoid hype and speculation • Never say “for various reasons” Rachel PC Won

References • • • Are numbered sequentially Reference numbers are superscript Use “et al. ” if more than five authors Cite only published or submitted articles Titles are required References to websites should give authors if known, title of cited page, URL in full and year of posting in parentheses Rachel PC Won

Figures • Figures tell the story • Order is absolutely critical • Strive for data-rich presentation • Show as much raw data as possible. If n experiments done for each data point, then show all points, rather than the average and standard deviation Rachel PC Won

More on figures • Label clearly • Figures must accurately reflect data as gathered • Choose carefully – Main text for main data – Figures in Supplementary Information appear online only • No ‘data not shown’. Either put data in the Supplementary Information section, or remove reference to it altogether Rachel PC Won