Exploring arXiv usage habits among Slovenian scientists

Metelko, Zala (author), Maver, Jasna (author)

Purpose – This study investigates how important the preprint arXiv is for Slovenian scientists, whether there are differences between scientific disciplines and the reputation of arXiv among Slovenian scientists. We are also interested in what advantages and disadvantages scientists see in using arXiv. Design/methodology/approach – A voluntary sample of active researchers from the scientific fields covered by arXiv was used. Data were collected over 21 days in September 2021 using a 40-question online survey. In addition to descriptive statistics, nonparametric statistical methods such as Pearson’s chi-squared test for independence, Kruskal-Wallis’ H-test and Mann-Whitney’s U-test were applied to the collected data. Findings – Among Slovenian scientists there is a wide range of different users of arXiv. The authors note differences among scientific disciplines. Physicists and astronomers are the most engaged, followed by mathematicians. Researchers in computer science, electrical engineering and systems science seem to have recognized the benefits of the archive, but are still hesitant to use it. Researchers from the other scientific fields participated in the survey to a lesser extent, suggesting that arXiv is less popular in these scientific fields. For Slovenian scientists, the main advantages of arXiv are faster access to knowledge, open access, greater impact of scientists’ work and the fact that publishing in the archive is free of charge. A negative aspect of using the archive is the frustration caused by the difficulties in assessing the credibility of articles. Research limitations/implications – A voluntary sample was used, which attracted a larger number of researchers but has a higher risk of sampling bias. Practical implications – The results are useful for international comparisons, but also provide bases and recommendations for institutional and national policies to evaluate researchers and their performance. Originality/value – The results provide valuable insights into arXiv usage habits and the reasons for using or not using arXiv by Slovenian scientists. There is no comparable study conducted in Slovenia.

• Language: English
• Keywords: scientific literature, scholarly publishing, preprint servers, Slovenia, arXiv, international studies
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FF - Faculty of Arts
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2023
• Number of pages: Str. 72-94
• Numbering: Vol. 79, no. 7
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-147267
• UDC: 655.41
• ISSN on article: 0022-0418
• DOI: 10.1108/JD-07-2022-0162
• COBISS.SI-ID: 154496771
• Publication date in RUL: 28.06.2023

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Journal of documentation
• Shortened title: J. doc.
• Publisher: Emerald
• ISSN: 0022-0418
• COBISS.SI-ID: 6866437

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: znanstvena literatura, znanstveno založništvo, strežniki za predtisk, Slovenija

Projects

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Project number: P2-0214
• Name: Računalniški vid