What is a preprint?
A preprint is a manuscript submitted to a preprint server that is subsequently submitted to a scholarly journal to undergo peer review before being formally published
What is a preprint server?
A preprint server is a server that is used to share preprints (i.e. documents before their submission to journals). Preprint repositories can be also used to share published papers (if and when allowed by the original publishers), reports, data sets and other forms of research outputs (rules can differ between repositories). The first preprint repository was arXiv lunched in 1991. Since then many different preprint repositories were created, both general and discipline-specific. Every month over 2000 preprints get archived via these (check stats on prepubmed.org).
What types of preprints can be uploaded to EcoEvoRxiv preprint server?
EcoEvoRxiv hosts not only empirical work, but also theoretical and review papers.
What are publishers' policies on preprints?
You can check publisher copyright policies and self-archiving using Sherpa-Romeo webpage.
Why use a preprint server?
When should I upload my preprint?
You can upload your preprint before you submit it to a journal, and use any resulting feedback to improve your manuscript before sending it to the journal. Or you could upload it at the time of submission (that is what we’ve most often done). As long as it is prior to the final published version, it’s considered a preprint.
So, why wouldn’t you?
Some journals, though very few these days, may not accept your article if it has been posted as a preprint. The number of journals in this category is small and decreasing. You can check your target journal's policy here or here.
We already have great preprint providers such as bioRxiv and PeerJ, why another one?
EcoEvoRxiv is not meant to compete with existing providers, we just want more scientists to routinely publish preprints. We see EcoEvoRxiv as an opportunity to raise the profile of preprints generally, and bring more users to our and other providers. Despite the benefits of preprints, the proportion of researchers using them is still pretty low. It is growing though, and we want to help it grow faster!
Having said that, we think the specific server for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation (EcoEvoRxiv) we’re proposing has some distinct advantages. Most relate to the fact that it will be hosted on the Open Science Framework. This means:
A preprint is a manuscript submitted to a preprint server that is subsequently submitted to a scholarly journal to undergo peer review before being formally published
What is a preprint server?
A preprint server is a server that is used to share preprints (i.e. documents before their submission to journals). Preprint repositories can be also used to share published papers (if and when allowed by the original publishers), reports, data sets and other forms of research outputs (rules can differ between repositories). The first preprint repository was arXiv lunched in 1991. Since then many different preprint repositories were created, both general and discipline-specific. Every month over 2000 preprints get archived via these (check stats on prepubmed.org).
What types of preprints can be uploaded to EcoEvoRxiv preprint server?
EcoEvoRxiv hosts not only empirical work, but also theoretical and review papers.
What are publishers' policies on preprints?
You can check publisher copyright policies and self-archiving using Sherpa-Romeo webpage.
Why use a preprint server?
- They’re quick! Preprints are a way of disseminating your findings before a long peer-reviewed process (median time from submission to acceptance 100 days, then from acceptance to online publication ~ 23 days). This means your work won’t be out of date by the time people read it. Depending on the server, you may be able to instantly upload. At most, it’s likely to take 48 hours.
- Open access. Preprint servers are open access (almost all are anyway). This means your work can reach researchers and others who do not have access to paywalled publications. This means your work can have greater reach, which is good for you. But importantly, it’s good for those in developing countries and outside academy.
- Extra feedback, improved science. Once you’ve posted a preprint, other researchers may choose to offer feedback on it via email or social media. This may seem daunting at first, but remember that it is happening prior to publication, so why not embrace it? It is a chance to catch mistakes, improve clarity and grow, before it’s committed to publication. It’s like having extra (informal) peer reviewers.
- Citations. Preprints can be cited, and can be used to establish precedence of your work.
When should I upload my preprint?
You can upload your preprint before you submit it to a journal, and use any resulting feedback to improve your manuscript before sending it to the journal. Or you could upload it at the time of submission (that is what we’ve most often done). As long as it is prior to the final published version, it’s considered a preprint.
So, why wouldn’t you?
Some journals, though very few these days, may not accept your article if it has been posted as a preprint. The number of journals in this category is small and decreasing. You can check your target journal's policy here or here.
We already have great preprint providers such as bioRxiv and PeerJ, why another one?
EcoEvoRxiv is not meant to compete with existing providers, we just want more scientists to routinely publish preprints. We see EcoEvoRxiv as an opportunity to raise the profile of preprints generally, and bring more users to our and other providers. Despite the benefits of preprints, the proportion of researchers using them is still pretty low. It is growing though, and we want to help it grow faster!
Having said that, we think the specific server for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation (EcoEvoRxiv) we’re proposing has some distinct advantages. Most relate to the fact that it will be hosted on the Open Science Framework. This means:
- Integrated workflow. Many people already use OSF to store data and other project materials. This feature will allow you to host your preprint in the same place, so you can share your whole project with one URL! Your preprint can be hosted in the same place as your data and other project materials are stored. It also means you can directly link it to a pre-registration, if you wish.
- Improved discoverability. The OSF connects with other preprint providers, so if you’re searching for preprints on OSF you can also select to search BioRxiv, EarthRxiv and an ever increasing number of other preprint servers. Or you can search by subject (e.g., Life Sciences), which will automatically include other relevant providers.
- Promoting interdisciplinarity. OSF hosts project materials across all disciplines, so one might wonder why we would launch a discipline-specific server. The short answer is eco-evo-cons already spans an enormous breadth of scientific sub-disciplines. The medium length answer is that we feel some degree of specificity will be more effective in promoting practice change in our domains. The long answer is that the server is a gateway, not a silo. Our server welcomes relevant contributions that use social science, computer science, mathematical or other methods .