The rise of preprints has revolutionized how research is shared and disseminated. Preprints, which are publicly available versions of research papers that have not yet undergone peer review, offer numerous benefits, such as faster dissemination of findings and increased visibility for researchers. However, the rapid growth of preprints raises important questions about their relationship with traditional academic publishing metrics, particularly Journal Impact Factors (JIFs).

In this article, we will explore the connection between preprints and Journal Impact Factors, examine how preprints might influence the metrics that determine a journal’s impact, and discuss the potential implications for authors, researchers, and publishers.

What is Journal Impact Factor?

The Journal Impact Factor (JIF) is a metric commonly used to assess the relative importance or influence of academic journals within a particular field. The impact factor is calculated by dividing the number of citations to articles published in a journal over the previous two years by the total number of articles published in that journal during the same period. Journals with higher impact factors are typically considered more prestigious and influential in their field.

However, the JIF has long been critiqued for its narrow focus on citations and for incentivizing quantity over quality in academic publishing. Despite these criticisms, the JIF remains a key factor in determining the reputation of journals and the perceived value of articles published within them.

Preprints and the Journal Impact Factor

At first glance, it might seem that preprints—being non-peer-reviewed and published outside traditional journals—do not directly impact a journal’s JIF. However, as preprints become an integral part of the research ecosystem, their interaction with journals and their impact on citation practices is evolving.

1. Preprints and Early Citations
   One of the primary ways preprints can influence Journal Impact Factors is through early citations. Researchers often cite preprints in their published papers, especially when referring to recent or cutting-edge research that has yet to undergo formal peer review. Preprints can be cited in the same way as peer-reviewed publications, and these citations can eventually be included in the JIF calculation of journals.

When preprints are cited by others, they contribute to the citation count of the journals where the research is later published. This means that preprints can potentially lead to an increase in the citation count for articles published in the journal, which could positively influence the journal’s impact factor. In some cases, this may accelerate a journal’s rise in prestige.

1. Preprints as a Tool for Journal Promotion
   Many journals now encourage the submission of preprints, as they allow journals to promote early-stage research and draw attention to upcoming articles. By making preprints publicly available, journals can increase their visibility, attract more citations, and potentially improve their impact factor in the long run. In some fields, preprints may even act as a form of “advertising” for the research that will eventually appear in the journal, providing a preview of what readers can expect in the coming months.
2. Preprints and the Shift Towards Open Science
   Preprints contribute to the growing open science movement by making research publicly available before peer review. As open access publishing becomes more widespread and influential, journals that embrace preprints and incorporate them into their publishing workflows may see increased citations from researchers who value early access to findings. This, in turn, can lead to an increase in the journal’s impact factor as preprints gain more recognition in the academic community.

However, some critics argue that preprints could undermine the authority of journals by providing unvetted research that could lead to misinformation or errors being disseminated prematurely. As a result, some journals may hesitate to embrace preprints fully, fearing that they could harm their reputation and ultimately their impact factor.

The Potential for a New Citation Ecosystem

While preprints themselves are not directly factored into the Journal Impact Factor calculation, they are part of a broader shift towards changing how citations are counted and how research is evaluated. Some researchers and publishers are advocating for new citation metrics that account for the broader dissemination of research, including preprints, datasets, and other forms of open research output.

For instance, the Open Citations initiative and the Cumulative Impact Factor metric are two examples of new systems that aim to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of research, including preprints. These systems seek to capture citations from a wider range of sources, including preprints, and to provide a fuller picture of a researcher’s influence within the academic community.

How Authors Should Navigate Preprints and Impact Factors

Given the complex relationship between preprints and Journal Impact Factors, authors should consider several factors before deciding whether to post a preprint:

1. Understand Journal Policies on Preprints
   Some journals have clear policies on preprints, allowing authors to submit preprints without issue, while others may have restrictions. Authors should review the preprint policies of their target journals to ensure they are not inadvertently disqualifying themselves from publishing there by posting a preprint.
2. Consider Citation Potential
   If an author expects their preprint to generate citations (for example, by being widely shared or cited by other researchers), they should weigh the potential long-term impact this may have on their publication in a high-impact journal. While the preprint itself won’t contribute directly to the journal’s impact factor, citations to it could enhance the journal’s reputation over time.
3. Embrace Open Science
   Preprints are part of the open science movement and can help authors gain early recognition for their research. By making research publicly available, authors can engage with the academic community, receive valuable feedback, and build collaborations—all of which can increase the impact of their work.

Conclusion

The relationship between preprints and Journal Impact Factors is still evolving. While preprints themselves do not directly affect the calculation of JIFs, their influence on early citations, journal visibility, and the broader open science movement is undeniable. Authors must carefully navigate the pros and cons of posting a preprint and consider how it aligns with their publication goals. As the academic publishing landscape continues to shift, it’s clear that preprints will play an increasingly important role in how research is shared, disseminated, and ultimately evaluated