Short communications (also called “brief reports” or “letters”) are concise scientific papers that present novel, preliminary, or urgent findings without the length or depth of a full research article. They are highly valued in fast-moving research areas, where rapid dissemination of results can influence the direction of further studies.
Key Features of Short Communications
- Conciseness
- Typically 1,500–2,500 words in length.
- Limited figures, tables, and references.
- Focus
- Reports a single, well-defined result or small dataset.
- No need for an extensive literature review or methodology.
- Structure
- Abstract → Introduction → Methods (brief) → Results → Discussion → References.
- Review Process
- Peer-reviewed, but often faster than full articles.
- Priority is given to novelty and relevance.
- Publication Purpose
- Share findings quickly.
- Highlight urgent discoveries, clinical insights, or emerging trends.
Benefits of Short Communications
- Faster publication → Rapid visibility of research.
- Good for early-career researchers to build publication records.
- Increases citation potential if the findings are impactful.
- Journals often use short communications to maintain novelty and variety.
FAQs about Short Communications
Q1: How are short communications different from full-length articles?
They are shorter, less detailed, and often focused on one key finding rather than a complete study.
Q2: Do short communications count as peer-reviewed articles?
Yes, they undergo peer review and are considered valid scholarly publications.
Q3: Can a short communication later be expanded into a full paper?
Yes, many researchers develop preliminary short reports into full-length articles with more data and analysis.
Q4: What journals accept short communications?
Almost all academic journals across disciplines (e.g., Elsevier, Springer, Wiley) have dedicated sections for short communications or brief reports.
Q5: Are short communications indexed in databases like Scopus or Web of Science?
Yes, as long as the hosting journal is indexed, short communications are also indexed and contribute to citations, h-index, and impact factor.
Useful Links
- Elsevier Author Guide – Short Communications
- Springer Journals – Types of Articles
- Wiley – Writing Short Communications
Europub Certification Note
Europub provides certificates of publication and authorship recognition for short communications, ensuring credibility for both journals and researchers.
Apply for certification at: https://cms.europub.co.uk
