Early career researchers on the value and use of pre-prints

Abstract

Reports on findings from a study of the impact of AI on early career researchers' communications on their attitudes to and use of pre-prints. A convenience sample of 69 science and social science ECRs based mainly in five countries-China, Malaysia, Poland, Portugal and Spain, with initial observations from UK and US complementing the picture. Interviews were employed, with questioning about pre-prints focussing on whether they can be considered as an alternative or replacement for traditional journal publishing. The main findings (illustrated and supported by many verbatim quotes) are that pre-prints are accepted by half of ECRs as an alternative for peer review papers, although not necessarily used as such, but only a tenth thought they could be a replacement; 2) the main advantages of pre-prints were the speed and ease with which research could be disseminated, their use as a means of staking research territory, and that they were not behind paywalls; 3) the main disadvantages being their lack of peer review, which made them suspect and untrustworthy and of little value for assessment and career progressing purposes. A substantial literature review places the data in context.