Though it matters—up to a point—if you publish first, the good paper is the one that will prevail. It will be cited more often, another criterion of the success of a paper, though this can sometimes be a function of herd mentality. So there’s tension between getting a paper out first and wanting to do the best work. There is never a time when it’s perfect to publish. Everything you do raises more questions. So there’s a judgment call—be complete, be sure the paper can withstand scrutiny by expert reviewers who are also your competitors.
