A preprint, also known as the Author’s Original Manuscript (AOM), is the version of your article that exists before it is submitted to a journal for peer review. It is distinct from the peer-reviewed Author Accepted Manuscript.
Preprint servers are online platforms where researchers can share their scholarly works before they undergo formal peer review and are officially published in academic journals.
These platforms provide a way for researchers to disseminate their findings quickly, receive feedback from the research community, and establish priority for their discoveries.
Here are some key reasons to use preprint servers:
It is essential to choose a preprint server that aligns with the specific discipline of your research. The popularity of preprints, and their acceptance among different fields, vary. Researchers should consider community norms and preferences when deciding whether or not to share their work on a preprint server.
It is unlikely that a preprint will jeopardize publication. However it is good practice to check publisher policies first. Contact us if you are not sure.
The publisher Taylor and Francis, for example, states: "If you upload an early version of your article to a non-commercial preprint server, you can subsequently submit to a Taylor & Francis or Routledge journal. We do not consider posting on a preprint server to be duplicate publication and this will not jeopardize consideration for publication."