Open Science Essentials in 2 Minutes: Part 4 – Preprints and Early Sharing of Research
Open science is transforming the way knowledge is generated and disseminated. A key practice in this initiative is disseminating your research prior to its formal publication in a journal—by submitting it to a preprint server.
What Are Preprints?
A preprint is a draft of your research manuscript that you publicly share before it undergoes formal peer review. You can host it on your personal site, but preprint servers like PsyArXiv (psyarxiv.com) provide a more effective option. PsyArXiv is backed by the Open Science Framework (OSF), offering a long-term, accessible, and searchable platform. It also links your work with a network of researchers in your discipline.
Why Use a Preprint Server?
Researchers in physics have utilized preprints for many years, and this practice is becoming increasingly popular in psychology, social sciences, and additional fields. Here’s why:
1. Speed: Preprints permit rapid distribution—your colleagues can access and interact with your findings instantly, avoiding the sometimes protracted journal review process.
2. Visibility and Citations: Preprints are indexed by services like Google Scholar, and citations for your preprint will be aggregated with the eventual published version.
3. Feedback Early: Distributing your manuscript early allows others to identify mistakes and provide input before the final publication.
4. Accessibility: Even post-publication, the preprint remains available without a paywall, broadening the reach of your paper.
What Happens After Publication?
Your preprint continues to exist. It remains a freely accessible version of your work. If you submit a version of the accepted manuscript (prior to the final journal formatting), that is referred to as a postprint. While most journals retain ownership of the final formatted PDF, you are generally permitted to share earlier versions with the same textual content.
Preprints and Publishing Rules
Contrary to prevalent concerns, the majority of academic journals permit—and frequently advocate for—preprints. Only a diminishing number do not. If uncertain, review a journal’s preprint policy using SHERPA/RoMEO (sherpa.ac.uk/romeo).
Preprints and Scooping
Some worry that releasing a preprint might result in others “scooping” their ideas. However, a preprint serves to timestamp your work, helping to establish precedence. Nonetheless, if your research is particularly competitive or you prefer discretion until publication, this approach may not be suitable.
When to Post a Preprint
It is generally advisable to upload a preprint when you first submit to a journal. If the manuscript is revised or resubmitted to another journal, you can refresh the preprint. Upon acceptance, you can post a postprint to finalize the timeline.
Quality Concerns?
Anyone can upload to a preprint server, which raises concerns regarding content quality. While there is limited oversight, your academic reputation hinges on the quality and rigor of your work—thus publishing subpar content is not advantageous for your professional standing.
In Summary
Early sharing of work as a preprint is a potent instrument in the open science toolkit. It boosts visibility, accelerates feedback, protects against scooping, and enhances accessibility in science. It’s a move toward a more open and collaborative research environment.
Explore More in the Open Science Essentials Series:
1. Pre-registration
2. The Open Science Framework
3. Reproducibility
By adopting preprints, you propel science forward—for yourself and for others.
Useful Preprint Links:
• PsyArXiv – https://psyarxiv.com/
• OSF – https://osf.io/
• Journal Preprint Policies – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_academic_journals_by_preprint_policy
• SHERPA/RoMEO – https://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/index.php