Equivalence of Preprints to Traditional Publication Channels

Determine whether preprints should be treated as equivalent to traditional peer-reviewed journal publication channels within the scholarly communication system, particularly for evaluation and policy purposes.

Background

Prior studies have reported similarities between preprints and their corresponding journal articles in authorship, references, and expert evaluation. Nevertheless, the paper argues that usage patterns may differ, raising the question of whether preprints should be considered equivalent to journals.

This uncertainty has direct implications for research assessment, policy, and the integration of preprints into existing evaluation frameworks, motivating a clear determination of their equivalence to traditional channels.