If you are worried about posting a preprint, don’t be! There’s lots of good reasons to consider posting a preprint.
Demystifying Preprints
A preprint is an early version of a scholarly article that hasn’t been peer-reviewed orpublished in a journal or other venue yet.
Preprint servers, like ArXiv for physics and the Open Science Framework (OSF) for interdisciplinary work, offer researchers a dynamic space to share early versions of their studies. These platforms serve as vital hubs for accelerating the spread of knowledge and there are many other platforms to choose from as suits your discipline. To get the most out of these servers, apply an open license that allows free sharing and collaboration.
Publishing in a journal can take a long time, with many revisions and rejections before an article makes the final cut. Preprints let you share findings without delays. Contrary to misconceptions this doesn’t mean preprints equal low quality, they generate discussion and boost collaboration. Think of them as a pre-peer-review, refining your work for better journal acceptance. Just remember toclearly mark it as not peer-reviewed and keep versions updated for accurate citations.
Navigating Journal Policies
Most journals welcome preprints, but it's wise to double-check Sherpa Romeo before sharing. Some, like The Lancet and PLOS journals, not only allow but actively encourage preprints through dedicated servers.
Yet, tread carefully: a few journals don't embrace preprints. For those reliant on anonymous peer review, wait until after review to share. Always secure agreement from co-authors to avoid conflicts of interest before posting your work.
The Upsides of Preprint Sharing
Sharing your work on a preprint server gets it a DOI, instantly boosting its visibility and credibility. This is a game-changer for showcasing your ongoing research in job applications or grant proposals—show your work rather than just stateit's in progress.
Worried about your ideas being ‘scooped’? Preprints act as a safeguard, time-stamping your priority on the research, protecting your intellectual territory.
Plus, not all valuable research reaches journal publication. Preprints ensure your findings don't vanish, offering a timeless, openly accessible home for important but unpublished work.
Amplifying Your Preprint Reach
To maximise your preprint’s impact—spread the word! Share it on social media, link it to your ORCID profile, andadd to Pure for visibility on theinstitutional research portal.
Butrememberfor REF eligibility and to meet funder open access rules, deposit a version of the final peer-reviewed article in a repository on acceptance.
Still have questions?
If you have any questions the Open Research Team are here to help.Read moreabout preprints our webpages and if you missed ourExplORe session on preprints you can watch on YouTube.
