Preprints: Where are we today?

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In recent years, the scientific community has witnessed a paradigm shift in the way research findings are shared and disseminated. Preprints, early versions of scientific papers made available to the public before formal peer review, have gained tremendous popularity as a means to accelerate the pace of scientific communication. In this blog, we will review the current state of preprints, examining the progress made since their inception and reflecting on the one-year journey of the Jxiv preprint repository in Japan.

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The rise of preprint repositories

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With the growing popularity of preprints, numerous preprint repositories have emerged to host and organize these papers. ArXiv remains one of the most widely recognized repositories, covering a broad range of disciplines, from physics to computer science. However, new platforms such as bioRxiv and chemRxiv have also gained prominence, catering to specific scientific communities. Japan had launched the Jxiv preprint repository, providing a dedicated platform for Japanese researchers to share their work. This development further strengthens the global preprint landscape and emphasizes the importance of localized repositories in fostering regional research collaborations.

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Preprints have undoubtedly brought several benefits to the academic community. They facilitate the rapid dissemination of research, allowing scientists to share their findings without delay. Preprints also enable early access to research, benefiting researchers who may not have access to subscription-based journals. Additionally, preprints foster transparency and improve reproducibility by making raw data and methodologies openly available.

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However, concerns have been raised regarding the quality and reliability of preprints. As preprints bypass formal peer review, there is an inherent risk of flawed or inaccurate research being disseminated. This highlights the importance of responsible preprint usage, where researchers must critically evaluate the content and exercise caution while citing preprints. Efforts are being made to establish frameworks for preprint peer review and to encourage the inclusion of proper metadata to ensure transparency and reliability.

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The role of preprints in a post-pandemic era

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The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of rapid knowledge dissemination and collaboration.  Preprints played a crucial role during this time, allowing scientists worldwide to share their findings in real time and contribute to the global response. However, the surge in preprints related to COVID-19 has also exposed the potential risks of misinformation and the challenges of navigating through an abundance of unverified research.

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As the scientific community moves forward, the pandemic serves as a case study in balancing the urgency of dissemination with the need for reliable vetting processes. Striking this balance is crucial to maintaining the trust of both researchers and the public in the preprint ecosystem.

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Accelerating research

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One of the significant advantages of preprints is the acceleration of the research process. Traditional publishing, with its lengthy peer review and revision cycles, often hinders the timely dissemination of crucial scientific findings. Preprints eliminate this delay, allowing researchers to share their work as soon as it is ready. This rapid dissemination can help prevent duplication of effort, encourage interdisciplinary collaborations, and aid in the identification of emerging trends.

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Community feedback and improvement

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Another remarkable aspect of preprints is the potential for community feedback. By making their work available as preprints, researchers invite scrutiny and critique from a broad audience. This interactive process enhances the quality of the research and helps identify potential flaws or oversights before formal peer review. Furthermore, preprints enable researchers to incorporate this feedback and improve their work, leading to stronger final publications.

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The Jxiv preprint repository

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An article published in The Scholarly Kitchen highlights the progress made by the Jxiv preprint repository in Japan over the past year. Jxiv, launched in 2022, aimed to provide a dedicated platform for Japanese researchers to share their preprints and foster collaboration within the scientific community. Since its inception, Jxiv has gained significant popularity and has become a valuable resource for researchers across various disciplines.

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Improved visibility

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Jxiv has played a vital role in enhancing the visibility of Japanese research on a global scale. By hosting preprints in multiple languages, including English and Japanese, the repository has made research accessible to a broader audience. This increased visibility has not only facilitated collaborations between Japanese and international researchers but has also contributed to the recognition of Japanese scientists on the global stage.

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Promoting interdisciplinary research

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The Jxiv preprint repository has successfully encouraged interdisciplinary research within Japan. By providing a platform that caters to multiple disciplines, Jxiv has facilitated the cross-pollination of ideas and knowledge sharing across fields. This integration of diverse perspectives has the potential to drive innovation and tackle complex scientific challenges more effectively.

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Quality control measures

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While preprints offer several advantages, concerns regarding the lack of formal peer review and the potential dissemination of unreliable or flawed research have been raised. However, platforms like Jxiv have implemented measures to address these concerns. Jxiv ensures that all submitted preprints undergo a basic screening process to filter out non-scientific content or materials that may violate ethical standards. Additionally, the repository encourages user feedback, which serves as a form of post-publication review, aiding in quality control.

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The emergence of preprints has revolutionized scientific communication, allowing researchers to share their work rapidly and openly. Over the years, preprints have evolved to become a vital part of the scholarly landscape, promoting collaboration, accelerating research, and fostering community engagement. The Jxiv preprint repository in Japan exemplifies the positive impact preprints can have on a national level, facilitating the exchange of ideas and enhancing the visibility of scientific research. As preprints continue to shape the future of scholarly communication, it is essential to strike a balance between rapid dissemination and rigorous peer review, ensuring the integrity and reliability of scientific knowledge.

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Preprints have undoubtedly come a long way, and their influence will likely continue to grow as more researchers recognize the benefits they offer. As we stand today, preprints have established themselves as valuable tools for advancing scientific knowledge, opening up new avenues for collaboration, and transforming how we share and consume research findings.

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References

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1. The Rise of GitHub in Scholarly Publications: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2208.04895.pdf

2. The Preprint server for Biology: https://www.biorxiv.org/about-biorxiv 

3. ChemRxiv: https://doi.org/10.17226/25050

4. Japan’s first full-fledged preprint server Jxiv to be operational: https://www.jst.go.jp/pr/info/info1551/index_e.html 

5. What are preprints and how do they impact researchers: https://researcher.life/blog/article/preprints-and-how-they-impact-researchers/ 

6. Preprints in times of COVID-19: the time is ripe for agreeing on terminology and good practices: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8320096/ 

7. Advantages of preprints: https://www.researchsquare.com/blog/the-advantages-of-preprints-for-scientific-researchers 

8. Preprints broaden access: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frma.2022.992942/full 

9. A Year of Jxiv – Warming the Preprints Stone: https://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2023/06/12/guest-post-a-year-of-jxiv-warming-the-preprints-stone/