The year is 2050. Let's assume that - for the better or for the worst - everyone post [[preprints|What are preprints]].
[[Let's play a game|Prentint Scenario Game explained]].
You can play either as [[Early Career Scientist]] or [[Senior Scientist]].Allright. You are Paul Grapsnig, a freshly graduated PhD. You are doing a Postdoc in Prof. Njoki's lab, where you completed your PhD.
|next1)[You have wrapped up a nice paper from your thesis, which you believe is ready to submit to [[a preprint server|What are preprint servers]].
However, your PI would prefer to add further results to the manuscript based on the project you are working on.](link:"Next")[(show:?next1)]
|next2)[You decide to sleep on it before deciding if to [[add more results before posting|add more results before posting Postdoc]] on the preprint server or to [[post the preprints as it is|post the preprints as it is Postdoc]].](link:"Next")[(show:?next2)]You are Prof. Njoki, an established researcher, well known and respected among colleagues.
|next1)[Your Postdoc Paul Grapsnig has wrapped up a nice paper from his recently concluded PhD thesis, which he would like to submit as it is to [[a preprint server|What are preprint servers]].](link:"Next")[(show:?next1)]
|next2)[However, you think the project Paul's is working on would add extremely solid data to the manuscript making it an even stronger preprint.](link:"Next")[(show:?next2)]
|next3)[You decide to sleep on it before deciding if to talk with Paul to [[add more results before posting|add more results before posting PI]] on the preprint server or to [[post the preprints as it is|post the preprints as it is PI]].](link:"Next")[(show:?next3)]Preprints are authors' original versions of a manuscript. Manuscripts that haven't yet undergone peer review and revisions by authors are preprints.
(In our 2050 fictive scenario, revised preprints are equivalent to journal articles.)
Preprints are posted on [[preprints servers|What are preprint servers]].
[[Got it!|Start page]]Sit back, relax and enjoy.
There is no right or wrong answer. We just want you to step into the shoes of a fictional character and play a 'what if' game with us.
You don't need to be a scientist to play this game (although knowing [[what are preprints|What are preprints]] is important).
It takes about 5-10 minutes to complete.
Ready? [[Go!|Start page]]The referee reveals that the coin is (either:"heads","tails").
There is a small dish of water. (click: "dish")[Your finger gets wet.]
|fan)[The overhead fan spins lazily.](link:"Turn on fan")[(show:?fan)]
[[Blank|Blank|]]
Ouch. (click: "Ouch.")
[You repeat the results. Yepp, the new results are contradicting your recent preprint.]
|any)[Text showing.](link:"Link")[(show:?any)]Preprint servers are platform where authors can post [[preprints|What are preprints]].
We are in a fictive scenario in 2050 where every scientist posts preprints, and preprint servers have replaced traditional scholarly journals.
[[Got it!|Start page]]''Preprint server PS-1'' is a well known and prestigious platform which organises peer review by a community of leading experts in their own field.
The platform attracts 10,000 preprints each year, many of which are endorsed as high-quality research by the community. Posting a preprint costs 10,000 USD.
|additionalfeatures)[Additional key features of PS-1 are:
(i) Public commenting are encouraged, and comments are considered and integrated into the review reports
(ii) High visibility of content within the community](link:"Read more key features of PS-1.")[(show:?additionalfeatures)]
Got it! Go back to [[your current project]].The night brings counsel! You don't want to start a beef with your supervisor. Also, you share the view with Prof. Njoki that more results will make a stronger manuscript.
You get back to work on the project, and in a few months time you have additional results to add to the manuscript.
You a [[ready to post|ready to post Postdoc]] the preprint now.The night brings counsel! You are confident that the current manuscript is strong. You talk with your PI and she agrees with you to post on the preprint server.
Yihaaa!
You have talked with Prof. Njoki and you agreed on submiting to the (either:"[[preprint server PS-1|Post on preprint server PS-1]]","[[preprint server PS-2|Post on preprint server PS-2]]","[[preprint server PS-3|Post on preprint server PS-3]]").You have posted the preprint.
While the preprint is being read and reviewed by the community, you obtain contradicting results while working on your current, related project.
Ouch. (click: "Ouch.")
[The team repeats the results. Yepp, the new results are contradicting your recent preprint.]
[[What now?]]test test testYou can [[read here the description of server PS-1|Preprint server PS-1 explained]] (or you can [[skip|your current project]], although the game wouldn't be as fun...).
Please note that in this fictional 2050 scenario, all preprint servers have (i) Open access to content (ii) Integrated version control, typesetting, proofreading, production (iii) Collaborations with indexing services for searchability (iv) Archiving and author-friendly licensing options (v) Some form of peer review by the community.You can [[read here the description of server PS-2|Preprint server PS-2 explained]] (or you can [[skip|your current project]], although the game wouldn't be as fun...).
Please note that in this fictional 2050 scenario, all preprint servers have (i) Open access to content (ii) Integrated version control, typesetting, proofreading, production (iii) Collaborations with indexing services for searchability (iv) Archiving and author-friendly licensing options (v) Some form of peer review by the community.You can [[read here the description of server PS-3|Preprint server PS-3 explained]] (or you can [[skip|your current project]], although the game wouldn't be as fun...).
Please note that in this fictional 2050 scenario, all preprint servers have (i) Open access to content (ii) Integrated version control, typesetting, proofreading, production (iii) Collaborations with indexing services for searchability (iv) Archiving and author-friendly licensing options (v) Some form of peer review by the community.''Preprint server PS-2'' capitalizes on the breath of the scientific community and the fact that scientist are authors, reviewers and readers at the same time.
Posting a preprint on the platform is free of charge. 1 million preprints are posted per year, generating 100 million public comments and reviews by its 50+ million active members.
|additionalfeatures)[Additional key features of PS-2 are:
(i) A badge system to highlight high-quality, well read preprints, excellent authors, prolific reviewers
(ii) Preprints are scored up by updating (after revision or by adding more results) or down by rectifications
(iii) The platform can operate by targeted advertising and funding by industry and universities](link:"Read more key features of PS-2.")[(show:?additionalfeatures)]
Got it! Go back to [[your current project]].''Preprint server PS-3'' strength is on fast and high-quality peer reviews, which are linked to and published independently from the preprint.
Posting a preprint, as well as reivising/updating an existing one, costs 1,000 USD. Reviewers are paid, and reviews are highly read and behind paywall (not for the authors of the preprint).
|additionalfeatures)[Additional key features of PS-3 are:
(i) The server attracts 100,000 preprints every year
(ii) Revenues from posting preprints are distributed to reviewers and used to run the preprint server
(iii) Reading reviews of a preprint (but not the preprint itself) is behind paywall](link:"Read more key features of PS-3.")[(show:?additionalfeatures)]
Got it! Go back to [[your current project]].You have talked with your PI Njoki and you agreed on submiting to the preprint server (either:"[[preprint server PS-1|Post on preprint server PS-1]]","[[preprint server PS-2|Post on preprint server PS-2]]", "[[preprint server PS-3|Post on preprint server PS-3]]").You have an intense discussion with your supervisor, and at the end you are able to convince her to
1) [[retract the preprint]]
2) [[rectify the preprint by adding new results]], or
3) [[rectify the preprint and post a new preprint]] with the correct results.
(Remember that the decision above might be influenced by you being an ECS or Senior Scientist, as well as the features of the preprint server.)Excellent decision!
It is time to [[relax over a home-brewed coffee]].Excellent decision!
It is time to [[relax over a home-brewed coffee]].Excellent decision!
It is time to [[relax over a home-brewed coffee]].The coffee you should brew yourself, apologies.
While you sip your coffee, [[would you mind giving us a feedback?|Feedback form]]. You can also [[continue with the story|reviewing a preprint]] and give us the feedback later!If you have one minute to spare, we would love to hear your feedback on why you chose this option, and what are in your opinions pros and cons of preprint server PS-X. (<-add link description to server, linking back to this page)
+add fields with feedback:
Why did you choose this option?
Are you an Early Career Scientist or an Established Scientists?
ECS
Estalbihed Scientist
None of the above (please specify)
What are in your opinions pros and cons of preprint server PS-X?
Why did you decide (not) to review for Preprint Server PS-X?The night brings counsel! You talk with Paul and ensure him that there is enough funding to support him with this and his future projects.
Paul get back to work on the project, and in a few months time there is additional results to add to the manuscript.
You a [[ready to post|ready to post PI]] the preprint now.The night brings counsel! Paul is an excellet Postdoc and you trust his call. You talk with Paul and tell him that you are happy for him to go ahead.
You and Paul agreed on submiting to the (either:"[[preprint server PS-1|Post on preprint server PS-1]]","[[preprint server PS-2|Post on preprint server PS-2]]","[[preprint server PS-3|Post on preprint server PS-3]]").You have talked with Paul and you agreed on submiting to the preprint server (either:"[[preprint server PS-1|Post on preprint server PS-1]]","[[preprint server PS-2|Post on preprint server PS-2]]", "[[preprint server PS-3|Post on preprint server PS-3]]").While checking your emails over coffee, you get a request to review a manuscript for (either:"[[preprint server PS-1|Review for preprint server PS-1]]","[[preprint server PS-2|Review for preprint server PS-2]]", "[[preprint server PS-3|Review for preprint server PS-3]]").
After consideration, you agreed to [[review the preprint]] or decided [[not to review the preprint]].''Preprint server PS-1'' is a well known and prestigious platform which organises peer review by a community of leading experts in their own field.
The platform attracts 10,000 preprints each year, many of which are endorsed as high-quality research by the community. Posting a preprint costs 10,000 USD.
|additionalfeatures)[Additional key features of PS-1 are:
(i) Public commenting are encouraged, and comments are considered and integrated into the review reports
(ii) High visibility of content within the community](link:"Read more key features of PS-1.")[(show:?additionalfeatures)]
|previousnote)[Please note that in this fictional 2050 scenario, all preprint servers have (i) Open access to content (ii) Integrated version control, typesetting, proofreading, production (iii) Collaborations with indexing services for searchability (iv) Archiving and author-friendly licensing options (v) Some form of peer review by the community.](link:"Read previous note on preprent servers.")[(show:?previousnote)]
Got it! Go back to [[your coffee|reviewing a preprint for PS-1]].''Preprint server PS-2'' capitalizes on the breath of the scientific community and the fact that scientist are authors, reviewers and readers at the same time.
Posting a preprint on the platform is free of charge. 1 million preprints are posted per year, generating 100 million public comments and reviews by its 50+ million active members.
|additionalfeatures)[Additional key features of PS-2 are:
(i) A badge system to highlight high-quality, well read preprints, excellent authors, prolific reviewers
(ii) Preprints are scored up by updating (after revision or by adding more results) or down by rectifications
(iii) The platform can operate by targeted advertising and funding by industry and universities](link:"Read more key features of PS-2.")[(show:?additionalfeatures)]
|previousnote)[Please note that in this fictional 2050 scenario, all preprint servers have (i) Open access to content (ii) Integrated version control, typesetting, proofreading, production (iii) Collaborations with indexing services for searchability (iv) Archiving and author-friendly licensing options (v) Some form of peer review by the community.](link:"Read previous note on preprint servers.")[(show:?previousnote)]
Got it! Go back to [[your coffee|reviewing a preprint for PS-2]].''Preprint server PS-3'' strength is on fast and high-quality peer reviews, which are linked to and published independently from the preprint.
Posting a preprint, as well as reivising/updating an existing one, costs 1,000 USD. Reviewers are paid, and reviews are highly read and behind paywall (not for the authors of the preprint).
|additionalfeatures)[Additional key features of PS-3 are:
(i) The server attracts 100,000 preprints every year
(ii) Revenues from posting preprints are distributed to reviewers and used to run the preprint server
(iii) Reading reviews of a preprint (but not the preprint itself) is behind paywall](link:"Read more key features of PS-3.")[(show:?additionalfeatures)]
|previousnote)[Please note that in this fictional 2050 scenario, all preprint servers have (i) Open access to content (ii) Integrated version control, typesetting, proofreading, production (iii) Collaborations with indexing services for searchability (iv) Archiving and author-friendly licensing options (v) Some form of peer review by the community.](link:"Read previous note on preprint servers.")[(show:?previousnote)]
Got it! Go back to [[your coffee|reviewing a preprint for PS-3]].Good choice indeed!
[[Would you mind telling us why?|Feedback form]] You can also [[continue with the story|going to a conference]] and give us the feedback later!Good choice indeed!
[[Would you mind telling us why?|Feedback form]] You can also [[continue with the story|going to a conference]] and give us the feedback later!Thanks a lot for playing! Please keep in mind that this is a beta version.
You can (link: "give us your feedback here!")[(gotoURL: "https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1fvgWi1Qtwcw698hGA-dSWSIwezIbexIWj99GiF3V2Jo/edit?gxids=7757")]
Like the game? You can [[start from the beginning!|Start page]]The year is 2050, not 2020. You can travel to conferences again.
While at a conference, a colleague is giving a talk and you realize that their results contradict those from a preprint you recently favourably reviewed and cited.
|nu)[These contradictory results do not affect the main results of your paper, and your review is still valuable. However, you still want to rectify the record.
You decide to:
1) [[Retract the review]]
2) [[Revise the review]]
3) [[Revise your paper]]
4) [[Rectify once you post a follow-up preprint]]](link:"What now?")[(show:?nu)]
Good choice indeed!
[[Would you mind telling us why?|Feedback form]]
Like the game? You can [[start from the beginning!|Start page]]Good choice indeed!
[[Would you mind telling us why?|Feedback form]]
Like the game? You can [[start from the beginning!|Start page]]Good choice indeed!
[[Would you mind telling us why?|Feedback form]]
Like the game? You can [[start from the beginning!|Start page]]Good choice indeed!
[[Would you mind telling us why?|Feedback form]]
Like the game? You can [[start from the beginning!|Start page]]While checking your emails over coffee, you get a request to review a manuscript for [[preprint server PS-1|Review for preprint server PS-1]].
After consideration, you agreed to [[review the preprint]] or decided [[not to review the preprint]].While checking your emails over coffee, you get a request to review a manuscript for [[preprint server PS-2|Review for preprint server PS-2]].
After consideration, you agreed to [[review the preprint]] or decided [[not to review the preprint]].While checking your emails over coffee, you get a request to review a manuscript for [[preprint server PS-3|Review for preprint server PS-3]].
After consideration, you agreed to [[review the preprint]] or decided [[not to review the preprint]].