There is no indication that this type of behavior has emerged in the physics, mathematics, and computer science communities as a result of wide-spread use of preprints. Scientists do not engage in quick posting of low quality work because they are wary of developing a bad reputation in the community. Furthermore, if the work is…
Another group posts a preprint on a similar work to my own. I decide that I do not want to submit a preprint but rather go straight for a journal publication. Will the chances of my publication be jeopardized by the appearance of this earlier preprint? We have discussed this scenario with several journals and…
Scientific meetings are increasingly becoming dominated by published or soon to be published data (e.g. manuscripts that are accepted). Many scientists are wary of sharing earlier stage work, even if they have a manuscript in hand, since they have no idea how long it might take to get published. Meeting presentations and posters are generally…
Naturally, the answer is yes. But the same is true for a journal publication. Once work is public, the entire scientific community can make use of the new knowledge; this is how the scientific enterprise advances as whole. That is why preprints are valuable for science, society, and the public and funding agencies who pay…