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Source: The post is based on the article “Explained | What is arXiv, and why is it still relevant for scientific research?” published in The Hindu on 14th September 2023
What is the News?
Several researchers have recently raised questions on the quality and impact of research shared on the arXiv platform.
What is arXiv?
arXiv is an online platform where researchers from various fields such as physicists, computer scientists, mathematicians, astronomers and others share their research papers for free.
Unlike traditional journals which take half a year or more to publish a paper, arXiv is fast as it does not have a peer review process.
How does arXiv’s approval system work?
arXiv uses a moderation system to review and publish papers. When a paper is submitted, it’s typically published within a day unless a moderator raises concerns.
However, there are challenges due to the high volume of submissions (up to 1,200 per day) and a limited number of volunteer moderators (about 200 across 150 categories). This has led to complaints about the moderation process being slow, unclear, and inconsistent.
What are the benefits of arXiv?
arXiv is an open-access platform, which means that anyone with an internet connection can access and download research papers for free. This openness promotes the sharing of knowledge and fosters collaboration among researchers worldwide.
Why is ArXiv bad for research?
Rushed Publications: Some researchers use arXiv to quickly publish their work just to claim a research area or gain attention.This rush can lead to less thoughtful or original research.
Diminished Value of Peer Review: Some researchers believe that arXiv’s popularity has reduced the importance of peer review.Papers that are rejected by conferences may still gain influence on arXiv, which doesn’t necessarily mean they are of high quality.
Bias Toward Established Researchers: arXiv favours well-known researchers and prestigious labs in its endorsement process.
