As bioRxiv, a pioneering preprint server, celebrates its 10th anniversary, here are 10 essential insights into the world of preprints:
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Early Science Sharing: Preprints enable scientists to share their work at an early stage, fostering quicker dissemination and progress in research.
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Citable and Citable: Preprints are assigned DOIs, making them citable in formal academic publications. Proper citation is crucial for scientific integrity.
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Not Against Peer Review: Advocates of preprints support an alternative approach to peer review, emphasizing transparency and community feedback.
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Open to Anyone: Preprints are open for review by anyone, encouraging a diverse range of perspectives and contributions to the scientific discourse.
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Copy and Redistribute: Preprints can be freely copied and redistributed, promoting open access and sidestepping restrictive copyright practices.
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Free to Publish and Read: Unlike many journals, preprints are entirely free to publish and read, contributing to the accessibility of scientific knowledge.
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Funders' Mandate: Funders are urged to mandate preprints, aligning with principles of open science and maximizing the impact of funded research.
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Avoid #LatePreprinting: Preprints should not be posted after journal acceptance. Posting before acceptance aligns with the core principles of preprinting.
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Include Supporting Data: Preprints should include links to supporting data, enhancing transparency and facilitating further exploration by the scientific community.
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Versatility of Preprints: Preprints extend beyond full-length research papers, and platforms like Zenodo cater to various academic outputs, encouraging diverse content sharing.
Embracing preprints facilitates a more open, collaborative, and efficient scientific ecosystem.
