Impact of Preprint Usage on Scientific Discourse

Characterize how the usage of preprints, when they function as an independent medium rather than merely as precursors to journal versions of record, shapes scientific discourse across fields, including its effects on citation behavior and attention allocation.

Background

The paper notes that preprints are increasingly used as an independent channel for scholarly communication, not solely as a step preceding journal publication. Despite extensive comparisons of content and quality between preprints and journal articles, how this independent use influences broader scientific discourse remains unresolved.

The authors investigate citation inequality and related mechanisms (e.g., preferential attachment and author prestige) to shed light on preprint usage patterns, highlighting the need for a systematic characterization of how preprints affect discourse formation and knowledge diffusion.