Open Science Fundamentals in 2 Minutes: Section 4
Prior to the publication of a research article in a journal, it can be made accessible for free to anyone who wishes to read it. This can be accomplished on your personal website or a preprint server such as psyarxiv.com. Backed by the OSF, preprint servers are trustworthy platforms where researchers provide their preprints, granting straightforward access to the research of others.
Preprint servers have been around for a long time in physics and are becoming increasingly popular across various academic disciplines. They facilitate rapid distribution of research, which is vital for early career scholars. Preprints can be cited, and platforms like Google Scholar will associate preprint citations with the journal publication record.
Preprints also allow for assessments and identification of errors prior to publication.
What Happens After My Paper is Published?
Even post-journal publication, your work can still be available as a preprint, providing a non-paywalled version for broader readership and citations. Uploading the manuscript after acceptance results in a post-print.
What About Copyright?
Journals generally possess the rights to the formatted manuscript version, which restricts the uploading of PDFs on websites or preprint servers. However, you are allowed to upload differently formatted versions that contain the same content.
Will Journals Reject My Paper if It’s on a Preprint?
Most journals typically accept or promote preprints. A shrinking number do not. Verify specific journal policies here.
Am I at Risk of Being Scooped?
Preprints serve to timestamp your work, establishing precedence and providing a safeguard against being scooped. Nevertheless, for projects that require confidentiality until publication, preprints may not be the ideal choice.
When Should I Submit a Preprint?
Submit at the time of journal submission, and continue with every submission and after acceptance for the postprint.
What Prevents People from Uploading Poor Quality Work?
While there’s nothing that stops low-quality submissions, it is essential for scholars to uphold a reputation for high-quality work.
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