Preprints are rapidly becoming an integral part of the academic publishing landscape, offering researchers a platform to share their findings before undergoing formal peer review. However, just uploading a draft is not enough to ensure the preprint serves its purpose effectively. To maximize the impact and quality of preprints, authors must follow certain best practices. In this article, we explore what makes a good preprint and the essential steps authors should take when submitting their research to a preprint server.

Clear and Comprehensive Abstract

The abstract is often the first part of a preprint that readers will encounter. A well-written abstract is crucial, as it provides a concise summary of the study’s key objectives, methods, results, and conclusions. The abstract should be clear, informative, and free from jargon. Authors should avoid overly technical language and focus on making the research accessible to a broader audience, including those who may not be experts in the specific field.

A good abstract should be:

• Concise but detailed enough to give a snapshot of the research.
• Free of ambiguous terms and excessive technical language.
• Written with clarity, presenting the main findings upfront.

Methodology Transparency

One of the key benefits of preprints is the opportunity for the scientific community to scrutinize research methods before formal peer review. Therefore, it is essential for authors to provide a detailed and transparent methodology section. This allows readers and future reviewers to understand how the research was conducted, how data were collected, and whether the methods were appropriate for the research question.

Best practices include:

• A clear and step-by-step description of the methods used.
• Inclusion of any statistical analyses or models applied.
• A description of controls, sample sizes, and other relevant details to allow replication.

By providing transparency in methodology, authors increase the reliability of their findings and contribute to the trustworthiness of the preprint.

Data Availability and Reproducibility

In the age of open science, data availability is becoming an essential aspect of good scientific practice. A good preprint should include access to the underlying data whenever possible. By making the data available in a public repository, authors can ensure that others can reproduce their findings or conduct further research based on the original dataset.

Authors should consider:

• Providing raw data or links to public data repositories (e.g., GitHub, Dryad, Figshare).
• Ensuring data is presented in a clear, organized manner, with appropriate metadata.
• Including code for data analysis, if relevant, to allow others to replicate results.

Open data availability fosters scientific collaboration and ensures that research can be built upon and validated by the wider academic community.

Clear Figures and Tables

Preprints should include figures and tables that clearly present the research findings. Visuals are often the most effective way to communicate complex data, and they should be presented in a way that is easy to interpret. Tables and figures should be accompanied by clear legends that explain what each part of the figure represents and how to interpret the results.

Best practices include:

• Ensuring all figures and tables are of high quality, with clear labels and captions.
• Using appropriate chart types to represent data accurately (e.g., bar graphs, scatter plots, heatmaps).
• Ensuring that the size and resolution of the figures are sufficient for clarity.

Well-constructed visuals make it easier for readers to understand the findings and draw conclusions from the preprint.

Acknowledging Limitations

No research is perfect, and acknowledging the limitations of a study is essential for building credibility. A good preprint should include a discussion of the study’s limitations, including potential sources of bias, uncertainties in the data, and areas where further research is needed. This helps to provide a balanced view of the research and shows that the authors are aware of the study’s boundaries.

Best practices include:

• Honestly discussing the limitations without overstating them or downplaying them.
• Suggesting areas where future research could address unanswered questions or improve methodology.
• Clarifying any potential conflicts of interest.

By acknowledging limitations, authors foster transparency and demonstrate scientific integrity.

Proper Citation and References

Preprints should cite prior research to provide context for the study and acknowledge previous work in the field. Proper referencing also helps to ensure that the authors are building on the foundation of established knowledge. It is essential to include high-quality, relevant references that support the research and provide a well-rounded view of the topic.

Best practices for citations include:

• Citing relevant, recent, and reputable research papers.
• Using proper citation formats and ensuring all references are correctly listed.
• Including preprints or unpublished work, if applicable, as citations to acknowledge the ongoing nature of research.

Peer Feedback and Iteration

One of the greatest advantages of preprints is the opportunity for the scientific community to provide feedback before formal peer review. Authors should be open to receiving constructive criticism and use this feedback to improve their research. A good preprint will likely undergo several iterations, as authors revise and refine their work based on the comments and suggestions they receive from the community.

Best practices include:

• Actively engaging with feedback from readers and reviewers.
• Responding to comments in a transparent and constructive manner.
• Updating the preprint to reflect new insights or revisions.

This iterative process not only improves the quality of the research but also fosters collaboration and dialogue among scientists.

Conclusion

To make a good preprint, authors should focus on clarity, transparency, and reproducibility. By providing a well-structured, transparent, and comprehensive preprint, authors contribute to the growing body of open-access research and foster scientific collaboration. Best practices such as clear abstracts, transparent methodology, open data availability, and engagement with peer feedback all play an essential role in ensuring that preprints serve as valuable resources in the scientific community.