Open Science Fundamentals in 2 Minutes, Part 4
Before a research manuscript is released in a journal, you can make it available for free to anyone who wants to read it. While hosting it on your personal website is an option, a more effective choice is to utilize a preprint server like psyarxiv.com. Preprint servers, backed by the OSF, serve as an excellent medium for sharing your research with fellow academics, ensuring your work is both accessible and easy to find.
Initially favored in physics, preprint servers have become prevalent in numerous academic disciplines. They facilitate the swift spread of research, which can be vital for early-career researchers seeking to make their mark. Furthermore, preprints are citable, and platforms like Google Scholar will merge preprint citations with your final journal publication record.
Preprints also enable review-like assessment of your work before its final publication, aiding in the early identification of errors during the publishing process.
What occurs when my article is published?
Your article will remain accessible as a preprint, offering a non-paywalled version that enhances accessibility and citation opportunities. Uploading a version of the document after acceptance is known as a post-print.
What concerning copyright?
Generally, journals retain rights to the formatted, typeset version of your article, meaning you usually cannot upload the PDF of this form. Nonetheless, you are allowed to share a version with identical content but different formatting on your personal website or a preprint server.
Will journals reject my article if it is already “published” as a preprint?
Most journals endorse or even promote preprints. Some may have certain stipulations, which can be reviewed through this tool.
Am I at risk of being scooped?
Preprints timestamp your research before publication, establishing precedence and offering some level of protection. However, for projects that need confidentiality until publication, preprints might not be advisable.
When is the right time to upload a preprint?
Think about uploading a preprint at the time of journal submission, and revise it with each resubmission and after acceptance (as a postprint).
What prevents individuals from uploading substandard material to a preprint server?
While there are few barriers to this, maintaining a reputation for high-quality work is crucial in academia, hence it is not advisable.
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