Academic Publishing Navigator

How Preprints Are Changing Publishing in Biology

What Are Preprints?

Preprints are research manuscripts shared publicly before formal peer review. In biology, they have transformed how discoveries are communicated, accelerating the exchange of ideas and enabling open scientific discussion long before traditional publication.

1. Accelerating the Pace of Discovery

Biological research moves quickly—especially in fields like infectious disease, genomics, and ecology. Preprints allow scientists to share findings immediately, without waiting months for peer review and journal publication.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, bioRxiv and medRxiv became vital channels for timely dissemination of results.
This speed helps researchers receive early feedback and avoid duplication of work.

However, because preprints are not peer reviewed, they should be interpreted cautiously, particularly for clinical or policy-sensitive topics.

2. Enhancing Visibility and Impact

Posting a preprint can increase a paper’s reach and influence:

Studies show that preprinted papers often receive more citations and online attention after journal publication.
Preprints provide open access visibility, even when the final version is published behind a paywall.
For early-career researchers, preprints help demonstrate productivity and impact between formal publications.

3. Establishing Priority and Transparency

Preprints create a timestamped, citable record of research, helping scientists establish precedence for their discoveries.
This transparency also supports reproducibility, as data and methods are shared openly from the start.

4. Evolving Relationship with Journals

Most major biology journals now accept submissions that began as preprints, and some actively encourage it.

Publishers such as PLOS, eLife, and EMBO Press support preprint posting.
Platforms like eLife and Peer Community In integrate open peer review directly on preprints, blending early sharing with formal evaluation.

5. Challenges and Considerations

While preprints offer many benefits, they also raise important questions.

Challenge	Implication	Best Practice
Misinformation risk	Unreviewed findings can spread widely	Include clear disclaimers; communicate responsibly
Duplicate publication concerns	Some fear preprints may count as “prior publication”	Check journal policies on preprints (via Sherpa Romeo)
Unequal participation	Some researchers may hesitate to post work publicly	Promote mentoring and equitable support for open science

6. Key Preprint Servers for Biology

Platform	Focus	Notes
bioRxiv	General biology	Established, hosted by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
medRxiv	Health and clinical sciences	Ethical screening process
EcoEvoRxiv	Ecology and evolution	Community-led via the Open Science Framework
Research Square	Broad scientific scope	DOI assignment and optional editorial checks

7. Strategic Use of Preprints

For biologists, preprints can:

Gather community feedback before journal submission
Increase research visibility and accessibility
Demonstrate progress for funding or hiring
Contribute to open and collaborative science

Many major funders, including the NIH, Wellcome Trust, and HHMI, now allow or even encourage citing preprints in grant applications.

The Future of Publishing in Biology

Preprints are helping biology move toward a more open, transparent, and collaborative model of publishing.
Rather than replacing journals, they complement the peer review system—bridging the gap between discovery and dissemination.

Recommended resources:

Plagiarism and Self-Plagiarism: Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Plagiarism remains the most frequently encountered issue in academic publishing, and it is a grave violation of research ethics. Fundamentally, it is the act of using another person's work, ideas, or words without proper attribution. However, researchers must also be vigilant about self-plagiarism.

Defining Plagiarism

Plagiarism occurs when a text, image, data, or idea is presented as one's own original work when it originated elsewhere. Even minor borrowing without citation constitutes plagiarism.

The core principle is: If it is not common knowledge, and it is not your original idea or data, you must cite the source.

Understanding Self-Plagiarism (Text Recycling)

Self-plagiarism, or "text recycling," refers to reusing large segments of text, data, or analysis from your own previously published work without explicit citation and, often, without permission from the original publisher (who may own the copyright).

While reusing your own methods section might seem innocuous, journal editors view it as unethical for several reasons:

Inflation of Publication Record: It creates the illusion of more new research than actually exists.
Copyright Violation: If the copyright of the previous work was transferred to the journal, reusing the text without permission is technically a copyright breach.
Redundancy: It consumes space that could be used for new information.

How to Avoid Self-Plagiarism:

Cite Yourself: If you must rephrase a previous finding or refer to a prior methodology, cite the original publication.
Use Quotes Sparingly: If quoting your own work, keep the quotation brief and cite it correctly.
Gain Permission: If reusing large sections (e.g., figures or tables) that were copyrighted by a previous publisher, you must obtain formal permission.
Write Fresh: The best practice is always to write new material for the current publication.

Tools for Integrity

Most major journals use software like Turnitin or iThenticate to screen manuscripts. If a manuscript shows a high percentage of similarity (typically above 15–20% depending on the institution/journal), it will be flagged for rejection and investigation. Always check your own manuscript before submission.

Predatory Publications: Navigating the Ethical Minefield

The rise of Open Access has unfortunately led to the proliferation of predatory journals and publishers. These entities prioritize generating profit (often through high Article Processing Charges, or APCs) over legitimate peer review and scholarly communication. They represent a significant threat to academic integrity.

What Defines a Predatory Journal?

A predatory journal actively solicits manuscripts with false promises of quality and indexing, often charging authors exorbitant fees while providing little to no editorial services or rigorous peer review.

Key characteristics to watch out for include:

Aggressive Email Spam: Receiving mass emails with flattering, personalized (but generic) invitations to submit, often containing spelling errors or grammatical mistakes.
Fake Metrics: Advertising non-existent or fabricated metrics like "Global Impact Factor" or false indexing claims (e.g., listing themselves on Scopus when they are not).
Rapid-Fire Publishing: Promising peer review and publication in impossibly short timelines (e.g., "24-hour review") that bypass any meaningful editorial process.
Lack of Transparency: Obscured or missing information regarding APCs, editorial boards (with non-verifiable members), and physical addresses.

The Risk of Publishing in Predatory Venues

Publishing in a predatory journal can severely damage a researcher's reputation, making it difficult to secure grants, promotions, or tenure. Since these journals are often quickly delisted or ignored, the research essentially disappears from the scholarly record.

Tools for Verification

Before submission, always check official registries:

Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ): A curated list of legitimate, quality Open Access journals.
Web of Science or Scopus: Check if the journal is officially indexed in these major databases.
Think, Check, Submit: Use the official checklist to vet the publisher and journal credibility.

Do not confuse a predatory journal with a legitimate new or small journal. A new, legitimate journal will still have a transparent peer review process, a verifiable editorial board, and clear affiliation with a professional society or recognized publisher.