PLOS, a nonprofit, Open Access publisher, is expanding its partnership with the preprint server bioRxiv to include Lab Protocols.
When authors submit a Lab Protocol to PLOS ONE, they prepare a short manuscript that contextualizes their step-by-step protocol, describing the value it adds to the published literature and providing evidence that the protocol works. This additional context helps readers to decide whether and, if so, how to adapt the protocol for their own research.
In 2023, PLOS is making it easier for authors to share these protocol manuscripts as preprints. During the submission process, Lab Protocol authors will now be asked if they want PLOS to forward their manuscript to bioRxiv to be considered for public posting within a few days. Facilitated posting to bioRxiv has been offered at PLOS ONE since 2018. Extending this service to Lab Protocols means that authors can share and get credit for their methods development work sooner, even as the peer review process unfolds.
In keeping with PLOS ONE’s multidisciplinary scope, Lab Protocol submissions are welcomed from any scientific field. Through the end of 2022, 61% of submitted Lab Protocols were in the life sciences, making bioRxiv an especially suitable partner to promote their early sharing.
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