A guide to preprinting for early-career researchers

Abstract

The use of preprints, research manuscripts shared publicly before completing the traditional peer-review process, is becoming a more common practice among life science researchers. Early-career researchers (ECRs) benefit from posting preprints as they are shareable, citable, and prove productivity. However, preprinting a manuscript involves a discussion among all co-authors, and ECRs are often not the decision-makers. Therefore, ECRs may find themselves in situations where they are interested in depositing a preprint but are unsure how to approach their co-authors or advisor about preprinting. Leveraging our own experiences as ECRs, and feedback from the research community, we have constructed a guide for ECRs who are considering preprinting to enable them to take ownership over the process and to raise awareness about preprinting options. We hope that this guide helps ECRs to initiate conversations about preprinting with co-authors and encourage them to preprint their future research.

Mapping the content of comments on bioRxiv and medRxiv preprints

“…As of August 2022, the Reimagine Review platform listed 36 platforms and initiatives for preprint evaluation (ReimagineReview, no date). These platforms differ in who initiates the review, how reviewers are selected and whether their identities are openly available (Ettinger et al, 2022;ReimagineReview, no date). Some of these platforms also provide detailed guidance on how to give feedback on preprints (e.g., Hindle and Saderi, 2017;PREreview Resource Center, 2020), which may lead the content of comments in these platforms to be different from those on preprint platforms.…”

The use and acceptability of preprints in health and social care settings: a scoping review

“…(48,54,59) Preprints are therefore said to have varying impact for researchers, grantees or applicants. (2,18,36,54,59,60,62,80,81) Several funding organisations (e.g., Wellcome Trust, NIH) now endorse the use of preprint servers for grant applications. (82,83) Including preprints in the grant application process provides reviewers the opportunity to access and gain early insight to the research and data in its full format (i.e., not restricted by word limitation in the funding application).…”

“…Funding for preprint servers is from non-profit agencies and concerns have been raised regarding sustainability and archiving costs (36) Preprints can further inform grant review and academic advancement (attractive for researchers) (2,18,36,54,59,60,62,80,81) 9…”

“…Providing early career researchers/scientists opportunities to showcase their work early to the public, offering positive effect on job opportunities or funding (5,13,39,50,59,60,62,81,97,99,102)…”

“…Some funders allow inclusion of preprints in grant applications helping applicants and authors to provide evidence of research productivity (including communication and dissemination and for ECRs) (2,18,25,36,50,60,76,80,81) 9 30…”