From Rapid Release to Reinforced Elite: Citation Inequality Is Stronger in Preprints than Journals

Abstract:  Preprints have been considered primarily as a supplement to journal-based systems for the rapid dissemination of relevant scientific knowledge and have historically been supported by studies indicating that preprints and published reports have comparable authorship, references, and quality. However, as preprints increasingly serve as an independent medium for scholarly communication rather than precursors to the version of record, it remains uncertain how preprint usage is shaping scientific discourse. Our research revealed that the preprint citations exhibit significantly higher inequality than journal citations, consistently among categories. This trend persisted even when controlling for age and the mean citation count of the journal matched to each of the preprint categories. We also found that the citation inequality in preprints is not solely driven by a few highly cited papers or those with no impact, but rather reflects a broader systemic effect. Whether the preprint is subsequently published in a journal or not does not significantly affect the citation inequality. Further analyses of the structural factors show that preferential attachment does not significantly contribute to citation inequality in preprints, whereas author prestige plays a substantial role. Notably, the gap in citation inequality between the preprint category and the journal is more pronounced in fields where preprints are more established, such as mathematics, physics, and high-energy physics. This highlights a potential vulnerability in preprint ecosystems where reputation-driven citation may hinder scientific diversity.