Core concepts of open science in 2 minutes, part 4
Prior to the publication of a research article in a journal, you can make it accessible for free for anyone to read. You may choose to do this on your personal website, or alternatively on a preprint server like psyarxiv.com, where fellow researchers also publish their preprints. This platform is supported by the OSF, ensuring its longevity and facilitating the discovery of other researchers’ work.
Preprint servers have been utilized for years in the field of physics, but they are increasingly popular across various academic disciplines. Preprints enable quick sharing of your research, which is crucial for researchers in the early stages of their careers. Preprints can be cited, and indexing services like Google Scholar will connect your preprint citations to the record of your future journal publication.
Additionally, preprints allow for work to be evaluated (and errors to be corrected) prior to final publication.
What occurs when my paper gets published?
Your research remains accessible in preprint form, meaning that a non-paywalled version exists, thus increasing the likelihood of it being read and cited. If you upload a version of the manuscript following its acceptance for publication, it is referred to as a post-print.
What’s the situation with copyright?
Generally, journals hold ownership of the formatted, typeset version of your published manuscript. This is why you are often prohibited from uploading the PDF version to your own website or a preprint server, but there are no restrictions against uploading a version with identical text (resulting in different formatting but the same content).
Will journals decline my paper if it has already been “published” as a preprint?
The majority of journals permit or even promote preprints. A shrinking number do not. If you are curious, you can look for particular journal policies here.
Am I at risk of being scooped?
Preprints allow you to timestamp your research prior to publication, thereby establishing priority on your findings which serves as a safeguard against being scooped. Naturally, if you have a project where you prefer not to disclose your work until it’s published, preprints might not be the ideal choice.
When is the right time to upload a preprint?
Submit a preprint at the time of your submission to a journal and for each subsequent submission and upon acceptance (turning it into a postprint).
What prevents individuals from uploading subpar content to a preprint server?
There’s nothing in place to prohibit this, but given that your reputation for producing quality work is one of the most significant assets a scholar possesses, I would advise against it.
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