The Obsolescence and Time Lag between Early Publications and Non‐Early Publications

ABSTRACT Early publishing, or preprints/e‐preprints, is the practice of making research available before formal publication. This research examines early and non‐early publications in Library and Information Science, focusing on trends, citation impact, obsolescence, and time lag. It reveals an upward trend in early publications, which, despite their lower quantity, have a higher citation impact. Early publications also demonstrate a longer citing half‐life, indicating their sustained relevance. Analysis of time lags reveals that about 49.25% of early publications are formally published within three months, with 75.5% published within six months, and only 5.66% taking more than a year. These findings underscore the importance of early publication in enhancing research impact and visibility.