What is a Collection? We Answer Your FAQs

Author: Siobhan Bates

As an early career researcher, you manage many responsibilities, including publishing work, expanding your network, and establishing credibility in a competitive research environment. We understand that this can be challenging. In this blog, we answer common questions about Collections and reveal how Springer Nature Collections can help get your research discovered, shared, and used by relevant audiences so it can create a meaningful impact.

“When you think about an article Collection, imagine a book in progress. It starts as a blank slate, but as researchers contribute their work, it becomes a carefully curated collection of knowledge. Each article adds something new, building a bigger story, and helping shape our fields' future.”

- Petia Apostolova, Head of Collections Management and Acquisition, CMA

What is a Collection?

Often referred to as Article Collections, Special Issue's, or Topical Collections, a Collection is a curated group of journal articles that focus on a specific theme or emerging topic. Their aim—to bring research together from across disciplines to solve global challenges. By grouping research in this way, Collections also make it easier for readers to find and access the content they need. This leads to increased visibility and impact.

“Collections are important because they address the most urgent and significant questions in their field, which allows researchers to discover content more easily so they can focus on their own discoveries.”

- Kun Yu, Director of Collection Management and Acquisition, CMA

What is the purpose of Collections?

To make an impact, research needs to be discoverable and built on a foundation of trust. This is the core purpose of Springer Nature Collections. Our curated Collections are thoughtfully designed to facilitate collaboration among researchers. Collections create a focused and dynamic platform where authors working on similar research questions can share insights and discoveries.

In addition, by organizing a diverse range of research—spanning cutting-edge studies to niche topics—Collections elevate individual contributions. They also make sure all valid research is recognized and supported, regardless of its scope or popularity. This commitment not only enhances visibility for researchers but also encourages a more comprehensive understanding of complex issues, ultimately driving the scientific community forward.

How do Collection articles differ from standalone journal articles?

Collections differ from journals because they uniquely curate research around a specific topic. Journals, however, typically publish research within a particular discipline. Additionally, unlike standalone articles submitted to a journal, Collections authors are invited to submit their papers through an open Call for Papers.

Furthermore, Collections also differ from journals, because they are often overseen by Guest Editors who are experts in the Collection topic. Guest Editors are invited to guest edit a Collection by the Springer Nature Collection Management and Acquisition (CMA) team. They are chosen precisely because they understand and recognize the importance of emerging and multidisciplinary research.

How do Collections help researchers?

Researchers can benefit from publishing in Collection in many ways. Most notably, researchers need to stay up to date with current findings in their research area. Yet, searching for relevant can be time-consuming. This is why Collections exist. By grouping research around specific topics, Collections help researchers discover, cite, and build upon the latest research in their field (and beyond). Crucially, this means researchers can spend more time focusing on what matters—conducting their own research.

How do Collections benefit society?

Enhanced relevancy isn’t just beneficial for scientists and researchers actively performing research. Everyone invested in research outcomes serves to benefit from Collections. Whether you’re a patient, practitioner, policymaker, or funder, Collections make research more discoverable and accessible to all research stakeholders, especially when Collections are published open access (OA). Not only does this benefit society, but it also boosts the impact of research.

Who can publish to a Collection? 

Researchers at all stages of their careers and from nearly every research area can submit their work to a Springer Nature Collection. Whether addressing urgent global challenges or highlighting niche yet significant areas of study, Collections are an efficient way to disseminate research. Collections ensure research reaches those who need it, when they need it.

Who would benefit from publishing to a Collection?

All researchers serve to benefit from publishing to a Collection, but Collections can be particularly valuable if you're struggling to find a suitable publication for your research. Here are three instances where publishing to a Collection offers an ideal opportunity:

• Researchers working on trending topics

Collections can be launched more quickly than journals, allowing researchers in trending or emerging fields to publish their work and findings without delays. Collections also have submission deadlines, so additional effort is placed on processing submissions efficiently, without jeopardising quality.

• Multidisciplinary researcher

Multi-journal Collections, such as Marine Heatwaves, or Healthy Aging, are particularly helpful for researchers struggling to publish their multidisciplinary research. If your research doesn't fit the scope of an existing journal, then a multi-journal Collection (otherwise known as a cross-journal Collection) provides a solution.

• Researchers who want to connect and collaborate

In simple terms, Collections bring together diverse perspectives and high-quality research centered around shared themes. This makes it easier for readers and potential collaborators to discover your work. As a result, this fosters stronger connections among researchers, increases visibility for your research, and amplifies societal impact.

In summary, if you're an early career researcher aiming to make a significant impact with your first published paper, a published author exploring an emerging research area, or someone whose work spans multiple disciplines, a Collection could present new opportunities for your career and research.

Are there different types of Collections?

Springer Nature Collections cover wide ranging subjects, exploring niche topics, like Virtual Reality in Psychological Research, or, topics that are broader in scope, as with our COVID-19 Collections.

You can also submit your paper to a multi-journal Collection such as, Generative AI for Mechanical Engineering Design and Optimization. This Collection has three participating journals (Scientific Reports, Nature Communications, and Communications Engineering). In this case, the Guest Editors are inviting submissions from across a broad mechanical engineering scope. 

On the other hand, you can publish to a Collection within a single journal, such as the Discover Global Society Collection, Technology and Global Social Problems, the Scientific Reports Collection, Drought-Resistant Crops, or the BMC Public Health Collection, Effects of Exposure to Media Violence.

How are Collection topics selected?

To make sure the most relevant content is published in our Collections, our dedicated CMA team collaborates closely with research communities to select trending topics.  They also provide data analytics to support Collection topic selection and select Guest Editors for new Collections. CMA members will then work with Guest Editors to develop the scope and aims and launch new Collections. 

“In the Springer Nature Collections Management and Acquisition (CMA) team, we treat research integrity as the as the top priority in the whole process. Nothing is more important than the integrity and quality of the content published in our Collections. To safeguard our Collections, we work very closely with our Research Integrity team (RIG), listen to their advice, and use their best practices in our Collections processes.”

- Kun Yu, Director of Collection Management and Acquisition, CMA

Is it easier to publish to a Collection?

At Springer Nature, we believe that all published research should be trustworthy and of high quality. That’s why we rigorously check every submitted paper. To ensure Collections content meets our strict quality and ethical standards, we treat Collection submissions with the same care and consideration as journal submissions.

Conclusion

Research is a powerful force for progress, but it becomes even more impactful when it’s connected, discoverable, and trusted. That’s why Springer Nature Collections exist: they’re designed to make that happen by bringing researchers together, elevating your work, and supporting all valid research, no matter how niche or current it may be.

If your work contributes to solving big challenges or advancing important conversations, a Collection would be a great choice for your research.

Let’s bring research together, so it can go further.

Learn more about Springer Nature Collections