Open Science Essentials in 2 Minutes, Part 4
Prior to the publication of a research paper in a journal, you have the option to make it accessible for anyone to read at no charge. This can be done on your personal website, or alternatively, on a preprint server like psyarxiv.com, where other researchers also publish their preprints, supported by the OSF, ensuring it remains available for some time, and facilitating the discovery of other research.
Preprint servers have been utilized for many years in the field of physics, but are now increasingly prevalent in other academic disciplines. Preprints enable swift distribution of your research, which is particularly critical for those at the beginning of their careers. Preprints can be referenced, and indexing services like Google Scholar will connect your preprint citations to your eventual journal publication record.
Preprints also offer the advantage of having your work reviewed (and any mistakes identified) prior to final publication.
What occurs when my paper gets published?
Your work remains accessible in its preprint form, which ensures that a version free of paywalls exists, allowing for wider readership and citation. If you upload a version of the manuscript post-acceptance for publication, this is termed a post-print.
What is the situation regarding copyright?
Generally, journals hold the rights to the formatted and typeset version of your published manuscript. This is why you are frequently prohibited from uploading the PDF version to your website or a preprint server; however, you can upload a version with the same content (noting that the formatting will differ while the information remains unchanged).
Will journals reject my paper if it has already been “published” through a preprint?
The majority of journals permit, or even promote preprints. A shrinking number do not. If you wish, you can investigate specific journal policies here.
Is there a risk of being scooped?
Preprints allow you to create a timestamp for your work prior to publication, serving to establish priority for your findings, which offers some protection against being scooped. Naturally, if you have a project on which you prefer not to disclose your involvement until publication, preprints might not be the best choice.
When is the right time to upload a preprint?
Upload a preprint at the moment you submit to a journal, and for each subsequent submission and upon acceptance (thereby turning it into a postprint).
What prevents individuals from uploading subpar work to a preprint server?
There is nothing in place to prevent this; however, since your reputation for producing quality work is one of the most significant assets a scholar possesses, I wouldn’t advise it.
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