PLOS Biology publishes original research articles of outstanding scientific significance. We will consider manuscripts of any length; we encourage the submission of both substantial full-length bodies of work and “Short Reports” that document novel biological findings that might be based on a more limited range of experiments. The key criteria are that the work clearly demonstrates its novelty, its importance to a particular field as well as its interest to those outside that discipline, and conclusions that are justified by the study.
PLOS Biology also considers outstanding methods and resource papers. We will consider manuscripts that report novel methods or improvements to current methodologies that significantly out-perform the state-of-the-art or that show the potential to address, for the first time, a pressing biological question. The reported method should be thoroughly validated, and while presenting new biological insights is encouraged, this is not a requirement for consideration. Resource papers should provide an exceptionally valuable tool for the community that could spur future research.
The journal also considers primary research that would be of interest to the clinical and pre-clinical research communities. To be appropriate for PLOS Biology, translational biological research should demonstrate the potential to advance our insights into the understanding, detection, diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of human disease.
In addition to studies offering biological insight, the journal also features data-driven meta-research articles of broad relevance to the biological sciences. The meta-research section addresses issues related to the design, methods, reporting, verification, and evaluation of research. It also encompasses research into the systems that evaluate and reward individual scientists and institutions. We welcome both exploratory and confirmatory research that has the potential to drive change in research and evaluation practices in the life sciences and beyond. This includes experimental, observational, modeling, and meta-analytic research. Themes include, but are not limited to, transparency, established and novel methodological standards, sources of bias (conflicts of interest, selection, inflation, funding, etc.), data sharing, evaluation metrics, assessment, reward, and funding structures.

The writing style should be concise and accessible. Editors will make suggestions for how to achieve this, as well as suggestions for cuts or additions that could be made to the article to strengthen the argument. Our aim is to make the editorial process rigorous and consistent, but not intrusive or overbearing. Authors are encouraged to use their own voice and to decide how best to present their ideas, results, and conclusions.