Abstract:

[Purposes] This paper aims to introduce the global preprint development from a macro perspective, enrich the knowledge about the preprint servers in addition to the mainstream ones, and analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on preprint development. [Methods] We accessed the official websites of preprint servers and Dimensions.ai to obtain the data, and then conducted descriptive statistics, correspondence analysis, difference analysis, and correlation analysis to analyze the data. [Findings] Most preprint servers are established after 2016, and the overall number of published preprints shows an upward trend. The number of preprints and citations involving COVID-19 surge after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and begin to decline in 2021. The citation advantage does not involve the preprints not associated with COVID-19. [Conclusions] Preprints are developing rapidly. Because of the varied positioning of different servers, diversified criteria and functions are presented. As the cooperation between academic journals and preprint servers deepens, publishers begin to provide preprint services. Preprint services play an important role in the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, forming functional complementarity with academic journals. The interchange of academic resources can facilitate the synergistic development of both parties.

Key words: Preprint, COVID-19, Bibliometrics, ASAPbio

摘要： 【目的】 从宏观视角介绍全球预印本发展情况,补充对主流预印本平台以外平台的研究,并分析COVID-19疫情对预印本发展的影响。【方法】 通过访问平台官方网站、Dimensions数据库获取相关数据,并进行描述性统计,使用对应分析、差异分析、相关分析等方法对数据进行分析。【结果】 大多数预印本平台在2016年以后创立,整体发布预印本数量呈上升趋势。COVID-19疫情发生后,COVID-19预印本数量和引文指标快速上升,不过自2021年起开始下降,且引文优势未辐射到非COVID-19预印本。【结论】 预印本呈快速发展趋势,不同平台定位不同,因此呈现多元化的标准和功能。科技期刊与预印本平台合作加深,出版商开始提供预印本服务。预印本平台在COVID-19疫情早期发挥重要作用,与科技期刊形成功能互补。通过学术资源互通,二者可实现协同发展。

关键词: 预印本, COVID-19, 文献计量学, ASAPbio