Exploring arXiv usage habits among Slovenian scientists

Metelko, Zala (avtor), Maver, Jasna (avtor)

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.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: scientific literature, scholarly publishing, preprint servers, Slovenia, arXiv, international studies
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: FF - Filozofska fakulteta
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2023
• Št. strani: Str. 72-94
• Številčenje: Vol. 79, no. 7
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-147267
• UDK: 655.41
• ISSN pri članku: 0022-0418
• DOI: 10.1108/JD-07-2022-0162
• COBISS.SI-ID: 154496771
• Datum objave v RUL: 28.06.2023

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Journal of documentation
• Skrajšan naslov: J. doc.
• Založnik: Emerald
• ISSN: 0022-0418
• COBISS.SI-ID: 6866437

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: znanstvena literatura, znanstveno založništvo, strežniki za predtisk, Slovenija

Projekti

• Financer: ARRS - Agencija za raziskovalno dejavnost Republike Slovenije
• Številka projekta: P2-0214
• Naslov: Računalniški vid