In this post we outline our policy approach to recording pre-prints in our institutional repository, KAR. It explains what we wished to achieve and why we made the decisions we did.
See our Supporting Open Research – sharing early by publishing pre-prints blog post to find out what pre-prints are, why you might want to use them and what to be aware of.
New pre-print item type in KAR
We’ve created a new item type in KAR. The main features of this item type are:
- bespoke metadata fields limited only to those that are essential for recording pre-prints
- no option to upload a document
- a mandatory restriction for the record to link to a publicly available online document via a DOI or URL
- the option to use links between related KAR records to join up pre-print records with subsequent published journal articles
Our pre-print policy
Our approach to supporting pre-prints in KAR is to provide a ‘record only’ entry in KAR. A link (DOI or URL) to an external site where the pre-print is available is mandatory.
We do not offer the option to upload the full text of a pre-print document. This prevents KAR operating as a preprint preprint server which would entail:
- DOI management
- encouragement and management of open peer-review
- ongoing management of pre-prints that never go on to publication
- responsibilities for maximising early dissemination and citation opportunities
All of these are functions offered by existing purpose-built pre-print servers.
How to record a pre-print in KAR
- Make an entry in KAR using the item type “pre-print”. For example see https://kar.kent.ac.uk/99466/
- Provide the DOI or URL to the pre-print platform where it is available
- Use only the “Published online” date type
- A separate record should be made in KAR for subsequent publication in a journal or another platform. Use the “related resources” field to create links to and from the “pre-print” record in KAR and the “article” record in KAR. For example, https://kar.kent.ac.uk/104084/
Why have we done this?
The range of pre-print types and pre-print platforms had created tensions and issues for recording them in an institutional repository. We needed to address this and wished
- to meet demand from our researchers who wish to record pre-prints in KAR
- to enable our research community to share work earlier in the publication process
- to facilitate and encourage Open Research
- to support Early Career Researchers to disseminate their research and explore the potential of new and emerging forms of publication
- to reflect the changing and more fluid practices used by publishers
We drew up a list of options and our recommendation and then consulted with researchers and other stakeholders.
The policy and approach that we have adopted
- facilitates Open Research and early sharing of work without drawing the University of Kent into pre-print management
- accommodates different types of pre-prints for all disciplines
- allows for identification and retrieval of pre-prints
- prevents unnecessary association with “article” funder and reporting requirements
- provides a lean record that is easy to complete, review, maintain and use