Abstract:

[Purposes] This study explores the citation advantage of preprints published by highly cited scholars and compares this advantage with their journal article citation advantage, aiming to reveal and understand the role of author reputation in the dissemination and diffusion of preprints. [Methods] Taking preprints from the platforms arXiv, bioRxiv, and medRxiv as the research objects, we group together preprints that were posted on the same platform in the same year and subsequently published in the same journal within that year. Within each group, the primary author of the most highly cited preprint is defined as a highly cited scholar, while authors whose citation counts are more than 1% lower than that of the highly cited scholar are defined as non-highly cited scholars. Linear regression models were used to compare the citation differences between preprints authored by highly cited scholars and non-highly cited scholars, as well as the differences after formal journal publication. [Findings] Preprints and journal articles published by highly cited scholars both exhibit a citation advantage, with the citation advantage being more pronounced in journal articles than in preprints. [Conclusions] Author reputation plays a crucial role in the dissemination and diffusion of preprints, as preprints published by highly cited scholars receive more attention and citations. It is recommended that preprint platforms optimize their recommendation algorithms to enhance the fairness of scientific communication.

Key words: Preprints, Journal articles, Highly cited scholars, Non-highly cited scholars, Citation advantage

摘要：

【目的】 探讨高被引学者发布的预印本在引用方面的优势,分析这一优势与期刊论文引用优势的差异,揭示并理解作者声望在预印本传播和扩散中的作用。【方法】以arXiv、bioRxiv和medRxiv平台上的预印本为对象,将同一年在同一预印本平台发布并于同年发表在相同期刊的预印本划分为一组;将每组中被引次数最高的主要作者定义为高被引学者,被引次数低于高被引学者1%的作者定义为非高被引学者;采用线性回归模型,在控制相关变量的基础上,比较2组学者预印本的被引次数差异,以及其正式发表后论文的被引次数差异。【结果】 高被引学者发布的预印本和期刊论文均具有引用优势,且期刊论文的引用优势高于预印本。【结论】 作者声望在预印本传播与扩散中具有重要作用,高被引学者发布的预印本更容易获得关注和引用。建议预印本平台优化推荐算法,以提升科学传播的公平性。

关键词: 预印本, 期刊论文, 高被引学者, 非高被引学者, 引用优势