Scientific Reports: Overview of the Nature Portfolio Mega Journal
Scientific Reports is a prominent peer-reviewed, open-access scientific mega journal published by Nature Portfolio. Established in 2011, it serves as a broad platform for research across all areas of the natural sciences. Unlike many traditional journals that prioritize the perceived impact or significance of a study, Scientific Reports focuses its assessment solely on the scientific validity—the technical soundness of the methodology and analysis—of the submitted work.
By lowering the barrier of "perceived importance," the journal has seen explosive growth. In September 2016, it became the largest journal in the world by the number of articles published, surpassing PLOS One.
ไม่มีภาพประกอบKey Facts
- Publisher: Nature Portfolio
- Founded: 2011
- Scope: All areas of the natural sciences
- Access Model: Open access under Creative Commons Attribution license
- 2025 Impact Factor: 4.9
- Indexing: Chemical Abstracts Service, Science Citation Index Expanded, and selectively in PubMed/MEDLINE
Journal Specifications and Indexing
Scientific Reports operates on a continuous publication frequency, ensuring that research is available as soon as it passes peer review. It is recognized globally through several standard identifiers and indexing services, ensuring high visibility for contributing researchers.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| ISO 4 Abbreviation | Sci. Rep. |
| ISSN | 2045-2322 |
| CODEN | SRCEC3 |
| LCCN | 2011250880 |
| OCLC Number | 732869387 |
Reviewing Policy and Editorial Standards
The journal's Guide to Referees explicitly instructs reviewers to ensure that manuscripts are technically sound and scientifically valid. The core philosophy is to avoid assessing papers based on their perceived importance or potential impact. However, this inclusive approach to publishing has led to various challenges and criticisms regarding the rigor of its peer-review process.
Controversies and Retractions
Due to its massive volume of publications, Scientific Reports has faced several high-profile controversies involving retracted papers and editorial disputes.
Data Integrity and Image Manipulation
The journal has dealt with multiple instances of manipulated data. In 2016, a paper was retracted after the scientific community detected duplicated and manipulated images. More unusually, a 2018 paper was found to have an image of baboon feces that contained a hidden image of Donald Trump's face; the journal subsequently removed the image.
Scientific Validity and Retractions
Several papers were retracted following intense criticism from the scientific community:
- Homeopathy: A 2018 study claiming homeopathic treatment could reduce pain in rats was retracted eight months later.
- Climate Science: A 2019 study claiming solar fluctuations caused global warming was retracted in March 2020.
- Public Health: A 2016 study suggesting the HPV vaccine caused brain damage in mice was retracted in 2018 because the experimental approach did not support the study's objectives.
- Cosmology: A 2019 paper claiming that both the Big Bang and Creationism were wrong was retracted in January 2021.
Ethics and Plagiarism
The journal has faced criticism over its handling of plagiarism. In one instance, it took over four years to retract a paper that had plagiarized a Hungarian mathematician's bachelor's thesis. Additionally, a 2021 paper regarding the biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah was retracted in 2025 following concerns over doctored images and potential conflicts of interest involving an editorial board member.
Editorial Board Resignations
Internal tensions have occasionally led to resignations from the editorial board. In 2015, editor Mark Maslin resigned after the journal trialed a paid "fast-track" peer-review service for biology manuscripts. Later, in November 2017, 19 editorial board members stepped down in protest over the journal's delay in retracting a plagiarized study.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of Scientific Reports?
The journal aims to publish research that is scientifically valid and technically sound, regardless of the perceived importance or impact of the findings.
Is Scientific Reports an open-access journal?
Yes, it is a fully open-access journal published under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
What is the impact factor of Scientific Reports for 2025?
The journal has a 2025 impact factor of 4.9.
How does Scientific Reports differ from Nature Communications?
While both are part of the Nature Portfolio, Scientific Reports is a mega journal that focuses on technical validity rather than perceived significance, whereas Nature Communications typically targets higher-impact research.
Why has the journal faced criticism?
Criticism has primarily centered on the publication of controversial or flawed studies, delays in retracting plagiarized work, and a brief trial of a paid fast-track review process.