Commenting on preprints is important when engaging in academic discussion online. And etiquette is also very important.
Preprints.org encourages scholars to get more engaged with preprints by commenting on others’ research. The aim is to foster collegial and collaborative discussion on academic topics. It provides a moderated platform for these conversations within the academic community. Authors can receive both public and private feedback on their work from peers. This feedback can then be used to revise and strengthen their work.
Because Preprints.org is a scientific community that includes authors, publishers, researchers, students, and other interested parties. It is a shared virtual space where everyone is equally valued and treated with respect.
Still, it can be intimidating to receive public feedback when scholars are used to often anonymized peer reviews and private commentary from others in the field.
Here we provide an overview of commenting etiquette for those wanting to get involved! It will include an explanation of the “FAST” principles in the context of providing public commentary on preprints.
Benefits of commenting on preprints
The opportunity to receive early feedback is a big benefit of publishing a preprint. It opens up the reviewing process by not being restricted to traditional peer review.
This connects well with the purpose of Preprints.org, a free, non-profit, multidisciplinary platform. All academic materials are open access and can be freely downloaded, distributed, and reused, with appropriate citation.
Authors can receive comments and reviews from readers around the world. Anyone with a Preprints.org account can leave a comment.
Researchers can participate on both sides of the process, by posting their own preprints and receiving commentary, and also offering their feedback on the work of others.
Even though the commenting feature is widely available and has positive benefits, public commentary on preprints is still relatively low.
This could be because researchers are concerned about having their work publicly criticized, which can negatively impact their reputation and credibility. Or, for those with little or no publishing experience, it may be intimidating to enter a public discussion.
Others may worry that their work could be “scooped” by someone else. However, publishing a preprint is in itself a way to put your stamp on a certain idea.
Despite these concerns, the key benefits of this model are important.
How comments help
A significant benefit of this public commentary is that others are able to read and further engage in academic discussion. Researchers can give and receive public feedback in a moderated and respectful manner, guided by a shared commenting etiquette.
It can also help prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
Feedback may not be as extensive as that received during peer review. But it still provides researchers with constructive criticism and helps to identify the work’s strengths and weaknesses.
Commenting on a preprint is a way for scholars who may not otherwise interact to engage directly in a way that prioritizes knowledge sharing and collaboration. This creates the opportunity for a back-and-forth conversation on specific ideas.
Preprints often explore cutting-edge research and innovative methodology, which is often led by experienced researchers and younger up-and-comers.
Junior researchers
For junior researchers, posting a preprint can get your ideas out into the world more quickly than traditional publishing. A study found that most feedback on preprints is relatively positive. This can be encouraging for students and junior researchers in particular.
As a junior researcher, participating in public and private commentary is an important part of the academic world. Junior researchers and students can learn to cultivate their skills in providing feedback for research at this stage.
Senior researchers
Those with more expertise and historical knowledge have a lot to offer to others who are newer to the field. Senior researchers can also model commenting etiquette to early-career researchers in their assessments.
How to get involved
Commenting isn’t just for the author’s benefit. It’s also an opportunity for readers to actively engage with new ideas. Whether you’re a researcher, student, or simply someone with relevant insights, you can contribute meaningfully by engaging with preprints.
In general, comments must follow the standards of professional academic discussion and should focus on the scientific content of the preprint. When delivered appropriately, these informal reviews are essential to the research and publication process.
Insulting or offensive language, personal attacks, and off-topic remarks are not permitted.
The FAST principles
Commenting etiquette in a virtual context should follow similar guidelines to formal review processes.
A simple suggestion for commenting etiquette is to use the “sandwich” model. This approach reflects that individuals often receive criticism better when it is “sandwiched” between more positive feedback.
More specifically, the FAST principles were developed for creating, responding to, and interpreting preprint feedback.
These principles are organized around four broad themes—focused, appropriate, specific, and transparent:
- Focus on the content and the scientific information shared, rather than on the author(s).
- Ensure appropriate behaviour when commenting, including being collegial and providing constructive comments.
- Provide specific feedback that explicitly engages with the content of the text.
- Commenters must be transparent about the limits of their expertise, biases, and conflicts of interest.
As you start to get involved in this process, you can apply these commenting etiquette guidelines.
Getting started with commenting on preprints
Those who already have a Preprints.org account can get started right away. If not, it only takes a few minutes to set up.
Once you have identified the chosen preprint, you can access available comments and make your own directly on the site.
Start by clicking on the “Comment” button on the right panel. A comment box will pop up where you can enter your feedback.
At this stage, you have the option to set your comment as public or private. You will be asked to declare any conflicts of interest.
Finally, there is a feature in your account under the tag “My Comments.” This displays both the comments you have given others, as well as those you have received on your own work.
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