Examples
Worked examples
- Is an instance
A COPE Discussion Document on a contested ethics question (such as AI in editorial decision-making), published specifically to invite structured community response before COPE issues firmer guidance.
- Is an instance
An OECD Discussion Paper laying out a policy problem and several proposed approaches, circulated for expert and stakeholder comment before a final OECD position is adopted.
Counter-examples
Looks similar, but isn't
- Not an instance
A peer-reviewed research article reporting new empirical findings is not a discussion paper in this sense, even if its discussion section is extensive.
- Not an instance
A working paper reporting research still in progress, without a deliberate framing as 'here is a position — please respond,' is not a discussion paper — the discussion paper's defining feature is that it exists to solicit structured response to an argued position, not to circulate research for feedback.
Editorial commentary
A discussion paper is a scholarly document, published by an institution, learned society, think-tank, or government body, that presents an argued position, policy proposal, or set of options specifically to invite structured community deliberation — sometimes with a formal comment period or consultation process attached. It is typically not peer-reviewed in the journal sense, though it may be vetted internally by the issuing institution before release. COPE’s own Discussion Document series is a well-known example in the research-integrity space, used when COPE wants community input on a contested question before committing to firmer guidance.
Where it sits among adjacent publication types
Discussion papers, working papers, white papers, and technical reports are frequently confused because none of them are peer-reviewed journal articles, and all four are used for pre-journal or non-journal dissemination. The distinguishing question for a discussion paper specifically is: does this document exist to argue a position and solicit structured response, rather than to report research in progress or document technical work?
- vs. working paper: a working paper circulates research in progress for feedback ahead of eventual journal submission; a discussion paper argues a position or proposal for deliberation, and is not necessarily headed toward journal publication at all.
- vs. white paper: both present an institutional position, but a white paper is typically a more formal, longer, and more authoritative treatment intended to inform a specific policy or implementation decision; a discussion paper is explicitly framed as provisional and open for response, not as a settled recommendation.
- vs. policy brief: a policy brief is shorter and more directly advocacy-oriented, aimed at a decision-maker audience; a discussion paper is longer and framed around inviting deliberation rather than driving toward a specific advocated action.
References
- COPE Discussion Document series, publicationethics.org
- OECD Discussion Papers series
Also known as
Issues paper · Position paper (discussion)
Machine-readable encodings
Use in your systems
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