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Open Access: Preprints

This guide is intended to provide advice on open access to researchers

Preprints

Preprints are versions of scholarly papers that precede formal peer review and publication in a scholarly or scientific journal. They are typically shared on public servers to facilitate early dissemination and feedback from the research community.

Preprints provide the opportunity for researchers to more immediately share their work and to encourage feedback.  arXiv have emerged as a major platform for sharing research in 1990. Researchers can self-archive their preprints on these services and share them with the wider world. Preprints provide a range of advantages including:

  • Immediacy of getting your getting your work out there and seen by your peers
  • Getting a permanent home with a citable DOI 
  • Establishing priority.
  • Beating the peer review queue

Crucially, posting a Preprint does not usually prevent you from publishing in peer reviewed journals.

Most journals allow posting of preprints but there are some exceptions therefore we recommend checking the policy of your target journal carefully.

This does not mean however that publishers will allow the final published version to be held on Preprint services or other repositories.

The Sherpa Romeo website provides a guide to publisher copyright policies & self-archiving and you can use this to check the journal policies. 

Preprints are not held within the Pure repository at Queens. Do contact the Open Research Team if you cannot find a suitable preprint server for your preprint, and we can advise. 

How to Prepare a Preprint

  • Choose a Preprint Server: Select a platform relevant to your field (e.g., arXiv for physics, bioRxiv for biology).
  • Prepare Your Manuscript: Ensure your manuscript is well-written and formatted according to the server's guidelines.
  • Include Supplementary Materials: Add any data, code, or supplementary files that support your findings.
  • Check for Ethical Compliance: Ensure your work complies with ethical standards and does not contain sensitive or confidential information.

Submitting a Preprint

  • Create an Account: Register on the chosen preprint server.
  • Upload Your Manuscript: Follow the server's submission process to upload your manuscript and supplementary materials.
  • Provide Metadata: Fill in details like title, authors, abstract, and keywords.
  • Review and Submit: Double-check all information and submit your preprint.

After Submission

  • Monitor Feedback: Engage with comments and feedback from the community.
  • Update Your Preprint: Revise your preprint based on feedback and upload new versions if necessary.
  • Proceed to Journal Submission: Once your preprint is polished, submit it to a peer-reviewed journal for formal publication.

 

A preprint server is an online platform where researchers can upload and share their manuscripts before they undergo formal peer review and publication in a scientific journal.

This early dissemination of research accelerates the pace of scientific discovery, fosters collaboration, and allows for immediate feedback from peers.

Preprints are an excellent way to share your research early and receive valuable input from the scientific community.

For a comprehensive list of preprint servers, including their disciplinary scope and policies, visit the ASAPbio Preprint server directory

Generic preprint servers                                                                       

Discipline-specific preprint servers

 

 

 

Best Practice

By following these best practices, you can maximize the benefits of posting a preprint while minimizing potential risks.

Happy sharing!

 

Funders

Certain funding organizations advocate for the dissemination of preprints. Researchers are advised to review the policies of these organizations to understand any specific requirements regarding preprints. Notably, the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Wellcome Trust encourage the sharing of preprints. For further information on their policies, please refer to the links provided below.

Benefits of Preprints

  • Rapid Dissemination: Quickly share your findings with the global research community.
  • Feedback: Receive early feedback from peers to improve your work.
  • Visibility: Increase the visibility and impact of your research.
  • Citations: Preprints can be cited, providing early recognition of your work.

Risks of Preprints

  • Quality Control: Preprints are not peer-reviewed, so they may contain errors or unverified claims, potentially leading to the spread of low-quality or incorrect information.
  • Scooping: Since preprints are publicly available, there's a risk that other researchers might use your ideas or findings without proper attribution.
  • Negative Feedback: Sharing your work publicly before peer review can expose you to negative comments or criticism, which might influence the formal peer review process.
  • Media Misrepresentation: Preprints can be misinterpreted or misreported by the media, leading to the spread of misinformation, especially in fields like medical research.
  • Journal Policies: Not all journals accept submissions that have been previously posted as preprints, which could limit your options for formal publication.

Despite these risks, many researchers find preprints valuable for rapid dissemination and early feedback. It's important to weigh the benefits and risks based on your specific situation.

 

Additional links to preprint directories and informational resources will be provided in this section. The Open Research team will update this information regularly.

Should you have any questions or require further information about preprints, please do not hesitate to contact the Open Research Team.