Publishing of COVID-19 preprints in peer-reviewed journals, preprinting trends, public discussion and quality issues

Ivan Kodvanj, Jan Homolak, Davor Virag and Vladimir Trkulja ()
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Ivan Kodvanj: School of Medicine, University of Zagreb
Jan Homolak: School of Medicine, University of Zagreb
Davor Virag: School of Medicine, University of Zagreb
Vladimir Trkulja: School of Medicine, University of Zagreb

Scientometrics, 2022, vol. 127, issue 3, No 8, 1339-1352

Abstract: Abstract COVID-19-related (vs. non-related) articles appear to be more expeditiously processed and published in peer-reviewed journals. We aimed to evaluate: (i) whether COVID-19-related preprints were favored for publication, (ii) preprinting trends and public discussion of the preprints, and (iii) the relationship between the publication topic (COVID-19-related or not) and quality issues. Manuscripts deposited at bioRxiv and medRxiv between January 1 and September 27 2020 were assessed for the probability of publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and those published were evaluated for submission-to-acceptance time. The extent of public discussion was assessed based on Altmetric and Disqus data. The Retraction Watch Database and PubMed were used to explore the retraction of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 articles and preprints. With adjustment for the preprinting server and number of deposited versions, COVID-19-related preprints were more likely to be published within 120 days since the deposition of the first version (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.80–2.14) as well as over the entire observed period (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.31–1.48). Submission-to-acceptance was by 35.85 days (95% CI: 32.25–39.45) shorter for COVID-19 articles. Public discussion of preprints was modest and COVID-19 articles were overrepresented in the pool of retracted articles in 2020. Current data suggest a preference for publication of COVID-19-related preprints over the observed period.

Keywords: Preprint; COVID19; Peer-review; Publishing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11192-021-04249-7

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