I recently attempted to publish my preprint on PsyArXiv. After a day of prescreening, the submission was not accepted because I did not have a previous publication, rather than because of an identified issue with the scientific content of the preprint. This was my first experience with the publication process as an independent researcher, and it highlighted an aspect of research dissemination that I had not previously encountered.
Publishing research is a complicated process that involves more than analysis and writing the manuscript. Different repositories and journals have their own screening procedures, submission requirements, and eligibility criteria. An initial submission may therefore be unsuccessful even when the manuscript itself does not receive a scientific rejection. I submitted the preprint to another repository, where it is currently undergoing prescreening.
This experience provided a more realistic understanding of the practical aspects of scientific publishing. Research dissemination depends not only on the quality of the analysis and manuscript, but also on understanding the policies and requirements of the venues through which research is shared. Distinguishing administrative or editorial screening from scientific evaluation is an important part of interpreting a submission outcome.
I will continue learning about publication policies and research dissemination while working toward the public release of the preprint. I also aim to strengthen my research through further independent projects, collaboration, and mentorship as I continue developing as a researcher.