Most researchers disclose their results before publication – Physics World

"Over two thirds of researchers have released the results of at least one study they authored before the findings were formally published. That is according to a survey of more than 7000 researchers across nine disciplines carried out by Jerry Thursby from Harvard University’s Laboratory for Innovation Science and colleagues. The researchers found that social scientists, mathematicians, biological scientists and those working in agriculture have the highest disclosure rates, with around 75% sharing the results of work before final publication. The figure for physical scientists is slightly less, at 67%. Advertisement The survey found that most academics who share their work early – either at conferences, in preprint papers or during earlier conceptual stages – do so to get feedback from peers. Other reasons include receiving credit for their work early, attracting potential collaborators and deterring competition. Researchers who share the least, meanwhile, are the most worried about being scooped by their peers. Overall, only around 6% of scholars disclose early conceptual ideas before they are sure the results are valid. This reluctance comes despite the rise of publications that publish such preliminary snippets of information such as The Journal of Brief Ideas, The Research Outcomes and Ideas Journal and Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society...."