Preprints as a Modern Publishing Model to Accelerate Scientific Dissemination | SpringerLink

Abstract:  Often, journals have an archaic and sluggish timeline for manuscript evaluation. Inordinate delays in acquiring peer review reports and editorial decisions impede the urgent dissemination of critical scientific findings to the public domain. This is diabolical in an era of open science. Preprints; the early drafts of research papers shared publicly before peer review, offer immediate dissemination of scientific knowledge. They empower researchers to share their work, receive feedback, and contribute to a more open and collaborative scientific ecosystem. However, concerns about the quality and credibility of preprints have arisen. Besides preprints, registered reports format is another novel approach to research publication that emphasizes the scientific study methods and hypotheses. Both these pre-publishing models are forward-leap styles of communication that foster transparency. In this chapter, I explore emerging models of pre-publication that assist authors in a productive way and highlight the challenges, opportunities, and integrity concerns.