Preprints

Preprints are early versions of research outputs shared online before formal peer review and journal publication. They enable rapid dissemination of research, increase visibility and discoverability, support early feedback and collaboration, and help reduce the risk of errors reaching final publication.

Preprints are typically shared through dedicated platforms or repositories and are freely accessible to anyone.

Preprints can provide early feedback and improve the quality of research before formal publication.

“As a postdoc, I led a big paper we didn’t post as a preprint, which I later sorely regretted. It was published in Nature, but after publication, a serious error was discovered that led us to retract the paper (and later republish a corrected version in a different journal). I’m pretty sure if we had posted a preprint, the error would have been identified and corrected before publication, avoiding all the drama and wasted time of retracting/republishing. I don’t think I’ve ever published a paper since then without preprinting it first.”

– Dr Patrick Savage, Psychology, Faculty of Science

A preprint is a version of your manuscript that has not yet completed peer review. This may include:

• Drafts prepared for submission to a journal
• Submitted manuscripts under review
• Early versions shared for community feedback

Preprints can be updated over time and are often linked to the final published article.

Preprints are typically deposited in subject-specific platforms, such as:

• arXiv
• bioRxiv 
• medRxiv 
• ChemRxiv 

These platforms provide open access, version control, and a permanent record of your work.

Preprints support open research practices but may not meet all funder or policy requirements on their own. Some funders require a peer-reviewed output to be made open via a journal or repository.

Many publishers allow preprint sharing, but policies vary. Journal guidelines should be checked before submitting or sharing a preprint.

Preprints are often used alongside other open access routes. For example, a researcher may share a preprint early, deposit the accepted manuscript in a repository, and publish the final article in a journal.

This combined approach supports visibility, compliance, and long-term access to research outputs.