How a Scientific Journal Adapted to Overwhelming Success
The story of how a specialized publication transformed its format and business model to handle a flood of new submissions while maintaining quality and accessibility.
In the world of academic publishing, success is often measured by the number of high-quality submissions a journal attracts. But what happens when a journal becomes too successful? In the mid-2000s, Structure Reports Online, a specialized journal for publishing crystal structures, faced exactly this dilemma. A huge surge in popularity threatened to overwhelm its systems, forcing its editors to implement a series of major changes 2 6 .
Submissions increased dramatically, threatening to overwhelm editorial systems.
Major changes to format and business model were required to handle the volume.
The changes enabled broader access and participation from researchers worldwide.
One of the most significant shifts for Structure Reports Online was its transition to an open-access model in 2008. Before this change, access to the journal was limited to individuals and institutions who paid for a subscription. This traditional model created barriers for readers without affluent institutional libraries.
Subscription-based model limited access to paying institutions and individuals.
Journal flipped to open access with a modest $150 publication fee.
Submissions surged, demonstrating strong demand for affordable publishing.
"The move to open access meant that all articles became freely available to anyone with an internet connection, dramatically increasing the potential readership and impact of the research published within it." 2
To handle the skyrocketing number of submissions and keep the open-access fee low, the journal underwent a significant physical transformation. The average length of a published article was reduced from 2.5 pages to just 1.6 pages 2 .
The "Comment" section was limited to 400 words, with longer discussions accepted only in exceptional circumstances 6 .
Figures would only be published if explicitly discussed in the text. Simple packing diagrams were excluded 6 .
Presentation of geometric parameters was restricted to key values, with full data available in CIF files 6 .
Average article length reduction after streamlining
The transformation of Structure Reports Online can itself be viewed as a large-scale, real-world experiment. The editors introduced new variables (the open-access model and streamlined format) and observed the outcomes.
The "procedure" for this experiment was rolled out in 2007-2008 and involved several key steps 2 6 :
Shifting from subscriber-funded to author-funded open access with a $150 fee.
Enforcing shorter article lengths and stringent content requirements.
Introducing new online systems for submission and tracking.
The "results" of this experiment were clear and dramatic. The changes were a resounding success by the metrics of scientific publishing.
| Year | Total Papers Published |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 2,887 |
| 2006 | 3,991 |
| 2007 | 5,181 |
Source: Editorial data from the journal 2
| Country | Percentage of Papers |
|---|---|
| China | 49% |
| India | 8% |
| USA | 6% |
| Germany | 5% |
| United Kingdom | 4% |
| Other Countries | 28% |
Source: Editorial data from the journal 2
The work published in Structure Reports Online relied on a suite of specialized software tools for determining and analyzing crystal structures. These programs are essential for modern crystallography.
| Program Name | Primary Function | Reference/Source |
|---|---|---|
| SHELX | A suite of programs for crystal structure solution and refinement. | Sheldrick, G. M. |
| APEX2/SAINT | Used for data collection, integration, and reduction. | Bruker AXS Inc. |
| CrysAlis | Software for data collection and processing on Oxford Diffraction instruments. | Oxford Diffraction Ltd |
| JANA2000 | A program for the refinement of incommensurate and modulated structures. | Institute of Physics, Prague |
| PLATON | A multi-purpose tool for visualization and analysis of crystal structures. | Spek, A. L. (2003) |
| Mercury | A powerful and popular program for 3D structure visualization. | Macrae, C. F. et al. (2006) |
| publCIF | A free editor provided by the IUCr to help authors prepare submissions. | Westrip, S. P. (2008) |
Source: Compiled from the journal's list of standard software references 2
The major changes undertaken by Structure Reports Online were not just a temporary fix. They established a new, sustainable path for the journal. The successful combination of low-cost open access, rigorous validation, and rapid publication ensured its place as an indispensable resource for the crystallography community 5 .
In 2014, the journal was reborn as Crystallographic Communications, with a renewed emphasis on publishing not just data, but the meaningful scientific stories behind the structures 5 .
The lessons learned during its years of "huge success"—how to manage growth without sacrificing quality or accessibility—continue to inform its mission, helping scientists share the intricate and beautiful architecture of the molecular world.
The journal's transformation paved the way for continued innovation in scientific publishing, demonstrating that adaptation is key to serving the evolving needs of the research community.