LAUSR

The benefits of publically available preprints are obvious. New approaches and results are rapidly disseminated to the research community, thereby accelerating the flow of information and the forward momentum of biological research. The ability of a preprint server to facilitate real-time feedback and dialogue, often within days or even hours of posting, provides tangible benefits to authors and readers alike. Investigators can establish a clearly defined moment of discovery that coincides with their decision to release details of a study and its results. This is of particular importance for young investigators in fast-moving, competitive fields, where name recognition can play a significant role in the pace and outcome of peer review. Preprints are also extremely useful for presenting essential unpublished information in grant proposals and progress reports to funding agencies.