Mapping the Invisible: Uncovering 'Hidden' Research Impact through arXiv Preprint Sharing and Social Media Dissemination

This research aims to systematically analyze the lifecycle and impact of arXiv preprints by integrating arXiv metadata (such as submission dates, revisions, and author affiliations) with social media dissemination data, including Twitter mentions, Altmetric scores, and PlumX metrics. It seeks to answer questions about the speed and patterns of preprint dissemination on social media, the predictive value of these patterns for later publication in high-impact journals, and the influence of visibility of rejected or revised manuscripts on community awareness and scientific discourse. Additionally, it proposes using network analysis of author collaborations combined with social sharing data to identify influential nodes or “invisible colleges” within physics and astronomy communities. This approach moves beyond traditional bibliometrics to embrace real-time, open science communication dynamics, potentially reshaping how preprints are valued by funders, institutions, and researchers, and fostering a culture of early sharing and transparent peer engagement.