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Scholarly Publishing

What is a Preprint? Understanding Early Sharing of Research Before Peer Review

Learn what preprints are, where they are published, and how they help researchers share findings faster. Understand their benefits, risks, and how they fit into the publishing process.

Sharing

What is a Preprint?

A preprint is a version of a scholarly paper that is shared publicly before formal peer review or journal publication. Preprints allow rapid dissemination of new research findings.

How Preprints Work

  • Researchers upload their manuscript to a preprint server (e.g., arXiv, bioRxiv).
  • The paper receives a DOI (digital object identifier) for citation.
  • It remains accessible while authors submit it to journals for peer review.

Benefits of Preprints

  • Share findings quickly with the global research community.
  • Receive early feedback before formal submission.
  • Increase visibility and citations even before publication.

Considerations

  • Not peer-reviewed, so credibility depends on author reputation.
  • Some journals may restrict preprint submissions (check policies).

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