Preprints: What is their role in medical journals?

Chung, Kyu Jin

One of the most notable advantages of preprints is that they allow the early dissemination of research findings. In other words, researchers can spread their findings more broadly and more quickly. Since preprints are published with open access, they facilitate more expedient interactions with researchers in the same field. Authors can receive instant feedback from their colleagues and may identify critical flaws and errors. Moreover, it is easier to disclose research results that may not be suitable for journal publication; and preprints help junior researchers to build their academic careers. Since studies are uploaded onto public plat-having to re-upload the manuscript files and reenter author information. medRxiv (http://www.medrxiv.org) is a preprint platform for medicine. This preprint server designed for health science was established by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Yale University, and BMJ and was launched in 2019. The medRxiv to Journals (M2J) service allows more convenient submission to 30 journals. The scope of medRxiv encompasses all aspects of health science, including medical science, dental science, and nursing. Approximately 200 preprints are posted each month.