Preprint
Preprints share early versions of manuscripts before or during peer review for rapid dissemination.
Preprints share early versions of manuscripts before or during peer review for rapid dissemination.
When to select this type
Choose Preprint when sharing work prior to or alongside formal peer review.
Typical audience
Researchers monitoring emerging findings.
Recommended use cases
Purpose
Enable early access to findings with clear not-peer-reviewed labeling.
Scope
Early manuscript versions across research types.
Typical structure
Required sections
Recommended sections
Figures
Depends on underlying work.
Tables
Depends on underlying work.
References
Depends on underlying work.
Supplementary material
Data and code encouraged.
Required metadata
Required declarations
Funding requirements
Declare funding.
Conflict of interest
Required.
Ethics requirements
Same as underlying study type.
Consent requirements
Same as underlying study type.
Data availability
Encouraged for transparency.
AI disclosure
Required per platform policy.
Copyright
Authors retain copyright; preprint does not transfer journal rights.
Licensing
CC BY common for preprints.
Export formats supported
Ensure systematic reviews are reported with enough detail to evaluate methodology and reproduce searches.
Improve transparency and completeness of randomized trial reports so readers can assess validity and bias.
Improve transparency in observational epidemiological research.
Improve quality and educational value of clinical case reports.
Typical journal expectations
Clear version labeling and conflict statements.
Typical peer review process
No peer review at preprint stage; may transition to reviewed publication type later.
Journal compatibility notes
Preprint servers and transitional paths to peer-reviewed types.
Submission readiness checklist
Select Preprint when your manuscript matches the scope, structure, and reporting expectations described on this page. If your work fits a different scholarly format, review similar publication types before submitting.
Contact the editorial team before payment if you need to change publication type. After editorial screening begins, type changes require editorial approval and may restart parts of the review process.
Reporting guidelines listed as recommended should be followed when applicable to your study design. Editorial reviewers assess completeness against the expectations for your selected publication type.
Preprints are published with a clear not-peer-reviewed label. You may later submit a revised version under a peer-reviewed publication type through the standard editorial workflow.
Platform standards for ethical research publication.
Transparent, ethical, and accountable AI use across research and publishing.
Transparency, independence, and responsible disclosure across research and publishing.