Gray Literature: Preprints

Preprints are increasingly a popular means of information dissemination in research. This is seen currently with preprints being used as a key resource for COVID-19 information. However, not all preprints are of equal value nor appropriate for all projects. Participants will gain skills to identify the strengths and weaknesses of preprints and learn ways to search for preprints. This class will include the following objectives: explain what a preprint is and the role of preprints in research dissemination; assess the weakness and strengths of preprints as an information source; know the reasons to include or exclude preprint sources in a search; and identify and use preprint sources.