What is it about?
In this study, we interviewed journalists to find out why and how they report on preprints, or research papers that have not been peer reviewed. They told us that they covered preprints because they were free to use and were available more quickly than peer reviewed research. This was especially important early in the COVID-19 pandemic, because people needed fast access to information about the virus. At the same time, many journalists were unsure how to check the quality of preprints and worried about spreading misinformation to their audiences. While some journalists did not plan to keep reporting on preprints, others said they had become a ‘new normal’ in their reporting.
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Why is it important?
Journalists are often discouraged from reporting on preprints because of fears that the findings of the research could change, or not be published at all, after they are reviewed by experts. Journalists could report findings from a preprint that is based on flawed research, which could mislead and even hurt the public. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many journalists started covering preprints. Preprints are becoming more common in science. This study found that they may also be becoming more common in journalism. To help journalists report on these studies responsibly, we need to understand what motivates them to cover preprints and the steps they take to check that the research is sound.
Perspectives
The most rewarding part of writing this article was the feedback from other journalists. Many of them told us that they agreed with our findings and faced similar challenges as the journalists we interviewed. Some said that it was helpful to learn about the strategies they used for trying to cover preprints responsibly.
Alice Fleerackers
Simon Fraser University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Science in motion: A qualitative analysis of journalists’ use and perception of preprints, PLoS ONE, November 2022, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277769.
You can read the full text:
Resources
Framing COVID-19 preprint research as uncertain: A mixed-method study of public reactions
Research study examining how audiences react to and understand descriptions of preprints they read in the news
Communicating scientific uncertainty in an age of COVID-19: An investigation into the use of preprints by digital media outlet
Study of how journalists described COVID-19-related preprints in their reporting.
Academic explanatory journalism and emerging COVID-19 science: How social media accounts amplify The Conversation’s preprint coverage
Study examining how social media users engage with news stories about COVID-19-related preprints
Journalists reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic relied on research that had yet to be peer reviewed
News story summarizing the results of the research
INCT-CPCT Divulgação Científica, Science in motion: journalists' use and perception of preprints
Video summarizing results of the research [in English and Portuguese]
Contributors
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