PLOS Currents

PLOS Currents is an innovative, online publication channel for new scientific research and ideas organized by topical sections. The platform was launched in 2009 by the Public Library of Science (PLOS), a nonprofit open access scientific publishing project aimed at creating a library of open access journals and other scientific literature under an open content license.

Overview

PLOS Currents was designed to minimize the delay between the generation and publication of new research. The platform provides a venue for researchers to share their latest findings and data with the scientific community in a rapid and efficient manner. The content published on PLOS Currents is not peer-reviewed in the traditional sense, but it is moderated by a group of experts in the field, ensuring that only quality research is published.

Sections

PLOS Currents is divided into several sections, each focusing on a specific area of research. These sections include Influenza, Evidence on Genomic Tests, Huntington Disease, Tree of Life, Disasters, and Outbreaks. Each section is managed by a team of experts who moderate submissions and provide feedback to authors.

Submission and Publication Process

The submission and publication process in PLOS Currents is designed to be rapid and efficient. Authors submit their research in a format that suits their material and data best, including preliminary results, datasets, hypotheses, and others. The submissions are then reviewed by a team of moderators who are experts in the relevant field. If the submission is accepted, it is published online immediately and is freely available to the public.

Impact

PLOS Currents has had a significant impact on the scientific community by providing a platform for rapid dissemination of research. It has been particularly useful in fields where timely information is crucial, such as during disease outbreaks or following natural disasters. The platform has also contributed to the broader movement towards open access in scientific publishing, promoting transparency and accessibility in the dissemination of scientific knowledge.

Criticism

Despite its benefits, PLOS Currents has also faced criticism. Some have questioned the lack of traditional peer review, arguing that it may compromise the quality of the research published. Others have raised concerns about the potential for the platform to be used to disseminate preliminary or unverified findings.

See Also

• Public Library of Science
• Open Access
• Scientific Publishing