Open Science Essentials in 2 Minutes, Part 4
Prior to the release of a research article in a journal, it can be made freely accessible for anyone to view. You could host this on your personal website, or alternatively, utilize a preprint server like psyarxiv.com, where fellow researchers also post their preprints, backed by the OSF, making it easier for you to discover others’ research.
Preprint servers have been in use for many years in physics and are now gaining traction throughout academia. Preprints facilitate quick distribution of research findings, which is particularly vital for early career researchers. They can be referenced, and indexing platforms such as Google Scholar will link your preprint citations with the record of your future journal publication.
Preprints also enable the work to be evaluated (and mistakes identified) prior to final publishing.
What occurs when my paper is published?
Your work remains accessible in preprint format, offering a non-paywalled version that a larger audience will read and cite. Uploading a version of the manuscript after acceptance is referred to as a post-print.
What about copyright?
In most cases, journals hold the formatted, typeset version of your published manuscript. This usually restricts uploading the PDF of this to your own website or a preprint server, though submitting a version with identical text (but different formatting) is generally permissible.
Will journals reject my paper if it is already “published” via a preprint?
Most journals permit, or even promote, preprints. A small number do not. You can inquire about specific journal policies here.
Will I get scooped?
Preprints enable you to timestamp your work prior to publication, establishing precedence and offering protection against being scooped. Nevertheless, if you favor confidentiality until publication, preprints might not be ideal.
When is the right time to upload a preprint?
Upload a preprint at the time of submitting to a journal, for each submission, and after acceptance (as a postprint).
What prevents people from submitting low-quality work to a preprint server?
There is nothing stopping this, but your reputation for quality output is extremely important, so it is not advised.
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