What is preprint?
A preprint is a scholarly scientific article published online before it has undergone formal peer review in an academic journal. It serves to rapidly share research findings, obtain feedback, and establish authorship.
Benefits of Publishing Preprints
- Rapid dissemination of results: Preprints can be published within days, significantly accelerating scientific communication.
- Increased visibility and citations: Early publication can increase citations and attention from both the research community and the media.
- Opportunity for feedback: The community can comment on the article and contribute to improving it before the peer-review process.
- Fulfilling Open Science requirements in projects: Preprint can be chosen as an optional Open Science requirement in some projects (e.g. OP JAK).
What to Watch Out for When Publishing a Preprint
Before deciding to publish a preprint, it is advisable to consider several key aspects:
Once a preprint is published, it CANNOT be removed from the preprint server
- Preprints are assigned a persistent identifier (e.g., DOI), and once published, they cannot be deleted from the preprint server—even upon request.
Compatibility with Target Journal
- Not all academic journals accept manuscripts that have already been published as preprints.
- Always check the rules of the journal where you plan to publish and confirm whether it allows the publication of manuscripts previously shared as preprints.
Loss of Anonymity
- Preprints can almost never be published anonymously.
- Always obtain consent from all co-authors before publishing a preprint, as preprint publication results in the loss of author anonymity.
Preprint citations may not be included in metrics
- Some preprints are not indexed in major citation databases (e.g., Web of Science, Scopus), meaning citations to preprints may not contribute to formal research metrics (H index).
Responsibility for Content
- Preprints are not peer-reviewed. As the author, you bear full responsibility for the methodological soundness and conclusions.
- For studies with potential public impact (e.g., health, environment), ensure data are thoroughly validated.
What to Watch Out for When Using Preprints (Reading, Citing)
Preprints can also be used in your academic work, cited, and treated similarly to formally published articles, provided you consider the following:
Lack of Peer Review
- Preprints have not undergone expert evaluation and may contain analytical errors, poorly described methods, or misinterpretations.
Verifying Authors and Quality
- Before using a preprint as a source, check who the authors are and their affiliations. Prioritize outputs from verified institutions or research groups.
Do Not Use as the Sole Source
- Especially in expert statements, education, or policy-making, always verify information using peer-reviewed literature as well.
Proper Citation Format
- When citing a preprint, indicate that it is an unreviewed manuscript. Include the version date and DOI.
- Citation example:
- SocArxiv: https://www.science.org/doi/epdf/10.1126/science.abc5881
- APA: Plutniak, S. (2021, July 22). The Effects of Publishing Processes on Scientific Thought. Typography and Typology in Prehistoric Archaeology (1950s–1990s). [Preprint] https://doi.org/10.1017/S0269889721000053
- MLA: Plutniak, Sébastien. “The Effects of Publishing Processes on Scientific Thought. Typography and Typology in Prehistoric Archaeology (1950s–1990s).” SocArXiv, 22 July 2021. Web.
- Chicago: Plutniak, Sébastien. 2021. “The Effects of Publishing Processes on Scientific Thought. Typography and Typology in Prehistoric Archaeology (1950s–1990s).” SocArXiv. July 22. doi:10.1017/S0269889721000053.
Information About MDPI / Preprints.org
The platform Preprints.org, operated by publisher MDPI. Preprints published on this server cannot be removed (even upon request), and there is a high risk that a manuscript shared on this platform may not be accepted by another academic journal.
Recommended and Verified Preprint Servers
| Preprint Server | Field | Link | License | Anonymous Publishing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| arXiv | Physics, math, CS, statistics | arxiv.org | CC BY or none | NO |
| bioRxiv | Biology | biorxiv.org | CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | NO |
| medRxiv | Medicine | medrxiv.org | CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | NO |
| SocArXiv | Social sciences | osf.io/preprints/socarxiv | CC BY | NO |
| PsyArXiv | Psychology | psyarxiv.com | CC0, CC BY | NO |
| EarthArXiv | Earth sciences | eartharxiv.org | CC BY | NO |
| ChemRxiv | Chemistry | chemrxiv.org | CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | NO |
Step-by-Step Guide for Publishing a Preprint
- Check the Preprint Policy of Your Target Journal
Ensure that publishing the preprint is not in conflict with the rules of the journal or publisher where you plan to later submit the manuscript for peer review. - Choose a Suitable Preprint Server
Focus on credibility, disciplinary tradition, and subject focus. - Choose an Appropriate License
Ideally, use a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 license, which ensures open access while preserving your authorship rights. - Prepare the Manuscript
Clearly indicate that the document is a preprint—preferably at the beginning of the article—stating that the version has not undergone peer review process. - Double-check and Publish
Ensure you have the consent of all co-authors, verify that the chosen license is appropriate, and that the preprint will be assigned a persistent identifier (e.g., DOI).
Create an account on a verified preprint server and upload your manuscript for publication.
Academic publishers' policies for publishing previously published manuscripts (preprints)
| Preprints accepted | Required preprint license | |
|---|---|---|
| Wiley | Accepted. Exception: Journal of Orthopaedic Research does not accept clinical research articles that have been shared as preprints. |
Unrestricted |
| University of Chicago Press | Accepted only if published on non-commercial servers (e.g. arXiv, Open Science Framework, Zenodo). Exception: The American Naturalist | The license of the preprint must be CC BY-NC. If CC BY, must pay Article Processing Charge for hybrid OA publication. |
| Taylor & Francis | Accepted | Unrestricted |
| Springer Nature | Accepted | Unrestricted |
| SAGE Publishing | Accepted. Exception: The following journals opt out of SAGE's publication policies: Acta Radiologica does not accept preprint submissions. Political Insight 'may accept' preprint submissions. California Management Review, Index on Censorship, Recherche et Applications en Marketing a Pain News, do not include a statement on either prior publication or preprints. |
Unrestricted |
| Royal Society Publishing | Accepted | Unrestricted |
| Oxford University Press | Accepted | Unrestricted, Exception: American Society for Nutrition journals require that if posted under any open access license, the author must pay the Article Processing Charge for hybrid OA publication. |
| Frontiers Media | Accepted | Unrestricted |
| Emerald Group Publishing | Accepted | Unrestricted |
| Elsevier | Accepted. Exception: Biophysical Journal also includes that: preprint posting is only permitted to a private website, arXiv, bioRxiv, chemRxiv, or GitHub. |
Unrestricted |
| De Gruyter | Accepted | Unrestricted |
| Cambridge University Press | Accepted | Unrestricted |
Examples of academic journals that accept manuscripts already published as preprints
