preprint

A preprint is a version of a scholarly paper posted publicly before it has been peer-reviewed by a journal or conference. Preprints enable researchers to share results quickly, establish priority for ideas, and invite feedback from the community.

The practice originated in the sciences with the rise of online repositories, notably arXiv, launched in 1991 for physics and mathematics. Since then, many disciplines use discipline-specific or general preprint servers, including bioRxiv and medRxiv in the life sciences, PsyArXiv in psychology, and others.

Posting a preprint typically involves uploading a manuscript, choosing a license, and acquiring a persistent identifier. Preprints are usually free to read and may be updated as the work evolves. They may be subsequently submitted to a traditional peer-reviewed journal; in many fields this is allowed and does not count as prior publication.

Impact and concerns: Preprints speed dissemination and increase visibility, allow rapid feedback, and can improve reproducibility through shared data and methods. Risks include potential misinterpretation of unreviewed results, incomplete quality checks, and concerns about media coverage or patent implications. Version control and clear citation practices help mitigate confusion.

Notable repositories include arXiv (physics, math, CS), bioRxiv, medRxiv, PsyArXiv, and others. Copyright and licensing vary; authors often retain rights and choose licenses such as CC BY. Policies toward preprints vary by journal and funder, with many publishers enabling or even encouraging preprint posting.