PREPRINTS AND PUBLISHING

MR. BARAKA MASAHI

 WHAT IS A PREPRINT?
A scholarly manuscript posted by the author(s) to a repository or
platform to facilitate open and broad sharing of early work without
any limitations to access

A preprint is a version of a scientific manuscript that is shared

publicly before it has undergone formal peer review by a journal.

Researchers use preprints to disseminate their findings quickly,

allowing others in the field to see and comment on the work while
it's still in progress. Preprints are becoming an integral part of the
life sciences research landscape, providing numerous benefits while
also requiring careful consideration and responsible use
 KEY FEATURES OF A PREPRINT?

No Peer Review: Unlike

Early Sharing: Preprints allow
journal articles, preprints
researchers to share their DOI Assignment: Many Updates Allowed: Authors
have not yet been peer- Open Access: Preprints are
work with the community as preprint servers assign a can often update their
reviewed. This means the typically available for free
soon as it's ready, without Digital Object Identifier (DOI) preprints with new data or
research is shared "as is," online, making the research
waiting for the lengthy peer to the preprint, making it revisions before submitting
with the understanding that accessible to anyone.
review and publication citable in other works. to a peer-reviewed journal.
it has not been formally
process.
vetted by other experts.
HOW IS A PREPRINT DIFFERENT FROM A JOURNAL ARTICLE?
ASPECT PREPRINT JOURNAL ARTICLE
Definition Preliminary versions of research papers shared before Final versions of research papers published after peer
formal peer review review.

Review Process Typically not peer-reviewed before posting. Undergo rigorous peer review before publication.
Speed of Usually available immediately after submission. Publication can take several months to years.
Publication
Accessibility Freely accessible to the public May be behind paywalls, though many are also open
access.

Credibility Varies, as they have not been peer-reviewed Generally higher, due to peer review and editorial
processes

Revisions Can be updated with new versions. Usually fixed once published, though corrections and
retractions can occur.

Citation Can be cited, but some caution is advised. Widely accepted and used in citations.
Archiving Hosted on preprint servers. Archived in journal databases and libraries.
DOI Assignment Often have a DOI assigned by the preprint server Always have a DOI assigned by the journal.
Use in Useful for disseminating early research findings and Considered more authoritative and are essential for
Academia receiving feedback. academic advancement.
PREPRINTS AND OPEN SCIENCE
Speed of dissemination: Preprints make scientific work available
in a matter of days, at any stage of the research process

Broad access: Preprints are free to post and free to access -no
publication fee, no subscription fee or paywall

Open outputs: Preprints allow sharing of associated data &

materials earlier, opportunities to engage in open review
 PREPRINTS AND LIFE SCIENCES
Preprints in life
sciences have gained
significant traction
over the past decade.
Increased use of
preprints in the life
sciences over the last
five years

In 2021, preprints so
far constitute 11% of
literature vs research
articles indexed in
Europe PMC
Role of Preprints in Life Sciences
Early Dissemination: Preprints allow researchers to share their findings quickly with the scientific community and the public
before undergoing peer review.

Feedback and Collaboration: They enable researchers to receive early feedback, which can be used to improve the
manuscript before formal submission to a journal. They also facilitate collaboration by making research accessible at an
earlier stage.

Transparency: Preprints promote transparency in the research process by allowing others to see and build upon the work
sooner.

Public Engagement: Preprints allow researchers to share their findings with the public and media quickly, which can be
particularly important for time-sensitive research (e.g., during a public health crisis).
Benefits of Preprints in Life Sciences

Accessibility: Preprints are freely

Speed: Traditional journal publication
accessible, ensuring that research can
can be slow, taking months or even
be read and used by anyone,
years. Preprints are typically available
regardless of their institution's
within days of submission.
subscriptions.

Credit: Posting a preprint establishes

Innovation: By sharing research early,
priority for a research finding,
preprints can accelerate scientific
providing a timestamp that can be
discovery and innovation.
used to claim intellectual ownership.
Challenges of Preprints in Life Sciences

Quality Control: Misinterpretation: Citation: Some Ethical Concerns:

Without peer review, There is a risk that journals and academic Issues such as dual use
the quality and non-peer-reviewed bodies have varying research of concern
reliability of preprints findings can be policies on citing (DURC) or sensitive
can vary. Readers must misinterpreted or preprints, which can information may arise,
critically evaluate the misrepresented, affect how they are where premature
validity of the findings. especially by the media used in formal dissemination could
or public. academic work. have negative
consequences.
Impact on the Life Sciences Community
COVID-19 Pandemic: Preprints played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic by
facilitating rapid dissemination of research on the virus, treatments, and vaccines.

Increased Collaboration: By making research available earlier, preprints have fostered greater
collaboration among scientists across different institutions and countries.

Policy Changes: Some funding agencies and institutions now recognize and even encourage the
use of preprints as part of the research process.
 Best Practices for Using Preprints

Responsible Communication: When Monitoring Updates:

Critical Evaluation: Researchers should sharing preprint findings, especially with Since preprints can be
critically evaluate the methodology and the public or media, it's important to updated, keeping track
conclusions of preprints, considering the emphasize that the research has not yet of any revisions or
lack of peer review. been peer-reviewed. follow-up publications is
essential.
 Key Preprint Platforms in Life Sciences
• Focus: Broad range of life • Focus: Health sciences, • Focus: Multidisciplinary, • Focus: Multidisciplinary,
sciences. including clinical research. including life sciences. including biology and
• Established: 2013. • Established: 2019. • Notable Features: Offers medicine.
• Notable Features: Allows • Notable Features: integrated author services, • Notable Features: Operated
updates to preprints, links to Manuscripts undergo basic such as manuscript by MDPI, offers broad subject
related preprints, and screening for ethical concerns preparation and video coverage and integration with
integration with journal and suitability before posting. abstracts. MDPI journals.
submission systems.

Research
bioRxiv medRxiv Preprints.org
Square
 WHY PUBLISH A PREPRINT?

Priority Claim: by posting a Receive Feedback: Improve Proof of Productivity: A

Increase Citation: Articles
preprint researchers can your manuscripts b getting preprint provides funders
get 36% more citations if
disclose their completed valuable comments on your and hiring committees with
they have a prior associated
study immediately and research prior to public evidence of your
preprint
without access barriers publication work
HOW DO YOU SUBMIT YOUR PREPRINT?
Get all authors on board: Talk to all co authors, especially supervisors and please be patient and
alleviate fears such as scooping and inability to publish in traditional journals

Choose a preprint server: There are a number of preprint servers; when choosing consider
visibility, funder recommendations, and features like preservation or indexing

Check journal policies if planning to publish as a peer reviewed paper: A large majority of
journals in life sciences accept preprints Double check journal policies on when and where
preprints may be posted

Choose a license: If filing a patent application related to the work, consult with your technology
transfer office before preprinting.

Prepare your preprint and post! Link any data, code or other resources to your preprint
Depending on the process at the server the manuscript will be available immediately upon
submission, or within a few days. Share and invite feedback via social media or email!