Open Science Fundamentals in 2 Minutes, Part 4
Prior to the publication of a research article in a journal, you can make it accessible for free to anyone. This can be done on your personal website, or alternatively, you can utilize a preprint server like psyarxiv.com, where fellow researchers also disseminate their preprints, supported by the OSF, ensuring its longevity, and allowing you to easily locate others’ research.
Preprint servers have been prevalent in physics for decades but are increasingly gaining traction in other academic fields. Preprints facilitate quick sharing of your research, which is particularly beneficial for early-career researchers. They can be cited, and indexing platforms like Google Scholar will link your preprint citations to your eventual journal publication record.
Preprints also enable work to undergo review (and corrections to be made) before official publication.
What occurs once my paper is published?
Your work remains available in preprint form, meaning that a non-paywalled version exists, leading to greater readership and citation. If you upload a version of the manuscript post-acceptance for publication, it is referred to as a post-print.
What about copyright?
Generally, journals possess the formatted, typeset version of your published manuscript. This is why you are often prohibited from uploading the PDF to your own website or a preprint server, but you are permitted to upload a version with the same content (though the formatting may differ).
Will journals reject my paper if it has already been “published” as a preprint?
Most journals permit, or even promote, preprints, though a decreasing number do not. If you wish, you can investigate specific journal policies here.
Am I at risk of being scooped?
Preprints provide you with a timestamp for your work prior to publication, establishing priority on findings, serving as a safeguard against being scooped. However, if you are working on a project that you prefer to keep under wraps until published, preprints may not be the best option.
When is the right time to upload a preprint?
Upload a preprint at the time of submission to a journal, and again for each subsequent submission and upon acceptance (turning it into a postprint).
What prevents individuals from uploading poor-quality work to a preprint server?
Nothing hinders this; however, since your reputation for maintaining high-quality work is one of a scholar’s most valuable assets, I would advise against it.
Valuable resources:
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