病毒學檔案發表了關于病毒類病原體和人類、動物、植物、昆蟲和細菌的病毒感染的所有研究分支的原始貢獻。覆蓋范圍包括最廣泛的主題，從新發現病毒的最初描述到病毒結構組成和遺傳學的研究，再到病毒與宿主細胞、宿主有機體和宿主種群的相互作用的研究。采用分子生物學分子遺傳學和現代免疫學和流行病學方法的多學科研究尤其受歡迎。例如，鼓勵對個體宿主中病毒感染的分子發病機制、病理生理學和遺傳學的研究以及對人群中病毒感染的分子流行病學的研究。還鼓勵開展診斷技術開發、單克隆抗體面板開發、疫苗開發和抗病毒藥物開發等應用研究。然而，這類研究通常在特定應用的背景下或在許多病毒學家感興趣的一般原則上表現得更好。在任何情況下，決定可接受性的都是研究工作的質量、意義和獨創性。

Archives of Virology publishes original contributions from all branches of research on viruses virus-like agents and virus infections of humans animals plants insects and bacteria. Coverage includes the broadest spectrum of topics from initial descriptions of newly discovered viruses to studies of virus structure composition and genetics to studies of virus interactions with host cells host organisms and host populations. Multidisciplinary studies are particularly welcome as are studies employing molecular biologic molecular genetics and modern immunologic and epidemiologic approaches. For example studies on the molecular pathogenesis pathophysiology and genetics of virus infections in individual hosts and studies on the molecular epidemiology of virus infections in populations are encouraged. Studies involving applied research such as diagnostic technology development monoclonal antibody panel development vaccine devleopment and antiviral drug development are also encouraged. However such studies are often better presented in the context of a specific application or as they bear upon general principles of interest to many virologists. In all cases it is the quality of the research work its significance and its originality which will decide acceptability.