Research dissemination is an integral part of the communication of scientific knowledge. It helps research reach as wide an audience as possible with as little obstruction as possible, supporting the principles of open access as it aims to make research freely accessible to all.
Research dissemination activities or examples come in many different forms, from journal articles to conference presentations. Preprints are another form of research dissemination. Here, we’ll explore how this type of manuscript is gaining popularity amongst researchers and readers when it comes to achieving quick and effective dissemination of research.
What is research dissemination and why does it matter?
Simply put, research dissemination is a strategy aimed at increasing the visibility and impact of research through a variety of channels. These channels can be in-person or online, with activities ranging from publishing journal articles to producing reports, conference presentations, and workshops.
The format in which research is communicated isn’t the only thing that authors need to consider. The narrative attached to communication is extremely helpful for increasing engagement and strengthening impact. Research dissemination should aim to tell a story about any data and findings, condensing scientific information into a meaningful narrative that can resonate with people.
Whilst it is a priority that research reaches as many people as possible, equally as important is making sure that research finds the right people. Research dissemination ensures that everyone from peers, practitioners, policymakers, and the public are informed of new developments in science.
But why does this matter? Well, research dissemination can lead to several effective outcomes, such as:
- Informing future research in the field.
- Improving or informing practice.
- Reshaping or guiding policy debates.
- Strengthening research collaboration across disciplines.
Now we know what research dissemination is and why it matters, what are the channels available to authors?
Getting your research out there
Generally, authors have several ways to disseminate their research findings effectively. Here are some of the most impactful methods of research dissemination for those aiming to communicate their research:
- Academic dissemination: Sharing research findings in academic journals (after peer review) and presenting at conferences.
- Educational dissemination: Developing curricula that incorporates your research into educational materials.
- Policy-oriented dissemination: Developing documents that target policymakers.
- Public dissemination: Using media outlets like news, blogs, video interviews, and podcasts to communicate findings to the public.
The type of dissemination most effective for authors to use will largely depend on who the target audience is. Authors should aim for research to be shared as widely as possible. However, dissemination strategies need to ensure that this research reaches audiences where it will be most impactful.
For example, if an author’s research findings directly support ‘end users’ such as clinicians or patients, then policy-oriented or public dissemination may be a more direct and effective form of dissemination than academic dissemination. There is no guarantee which type of research dissemination will be the most effective, but knowing which sectors or industries may be positively impacted by research findings certainly helps authors decide which types of dissemination to focus on.
Fast dissemination with preprints
Traditional methods of academic dissemination, such as journal article publishing, are dependent on lengthy peer review periods or predefined publishing schedules. Preprints are a form of academic dissemination that are not restricted by traditional peer review or journal pipelines.
Preprints are scholarly articles made freely available online prior to peer review. Once posted on a preprint platform, these early versions of research manuscripts can be shared, cited, and commented on by readers and researchers. Because of open licensing, preprints and their findings can also be used in educational contexts. Data can be freely turned into infographics for use in classroom handouts and presentation slides. Furthermore, teachers can circulate preprints in full to highlight emerging trends and recent developments within certain scientific fields. However, any early findings must be treated with caution.
The rapid exchange of scientific information is the cornerstone of preprint posting. The need for fast dissemination of research emerged in the 1960s, with biology and physics communities sharing key findings and informing future studies to facilitate the progression of knowledge in their fields. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic further underlined the importance of quick publication speeds and sustained access to research, with preprints being an integral part of information exchange and vaccine development during this uncertain period.
The posting procedure for preprints is structured around disseminating research as fast as possible. Instead of undergoing peer review, which can take several months, preprints undergo a short screening before online publication. The Preprints.org screening process takes less than one business day in most cases.
In an era where technological progress and international collaboration are key to scientific success, preprints are a versatile manuscript type supporting the principles of open science.
Posting with Preprints.org
Interested in posting a preprint and benefiting from the fast dissemination of your findings? At Preprints.org, we empower researchers to freely and instantly share their work with a global audience, helping you gain early feedback, boost visibility, and accelerate discovery. Join over 420,000 researchers advancing open science on our accessible, multidisciplinary platform. Ready to submit? Upload your preprint today and make your work quickly discoverable.
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