Preprint Policy

Overview

ManuscriptZone journals accept submissions that have been previously posted as preprints on recognized, non-commercial repositories. Preprints help accelerate dissemination and feedback without prejudicing editorial consideration.

Posting a preprint does not count as prior publication for the purposes of our originality policy.

Preprint posting and licenses

• Allowed servers: Use reputable repositories appropriate to your field (e.g., arXiv, bioRxiv, medRxiv, SocArXiv, OSF Preprints).
• Licensing: Choose a license that permits peer review and scholarly reuse (e.g., CC BY, CC BY-NC, or similar). Ensure third-party materials are cleared.
• Versioning: Clearly indicate preprint versions and update the record with the accepted manuscript or Version of Record link when available.
• Identifiers: Prefer repositories that mint persistent identifiers (e.g., DOIs) for stable citation.

During submission

• Disclose: Provide the preprint DOI or URL in your cover letter and the manuscript metadata.
• Authorship and content: Ensure the submitted manuscript matches the preprint authorship and core content; explain substantive differences if any.
• Dual posting: Do not post peer review reports or confidential editorial communications to preprint servers without consent.

During peer review

• Anonymity: In double-anonymized review, avoid references or file metadata that reveal identities beyond what is necessary.
• Community feedback: Authors may receive comments on the preprint; address relevant points in your response to reviewers.
• Updated versions: You may update the preprint during review; please summarize substantive changes in your revision letter.

After acceptance and publication

• AAM and VoR: Authors may post the accepted author manuscript (AAM) on the preprint server after acceptance, and should link to the Version of Record (VoR) when published.
• Embargoes: Our journals are open access; no embargo applies for posting the AAM. Always include the citation and DOI to the VoR.
• Record updates: Update the preprint record with the final citation, DOI, and link to the published article.

Citation and disclosure

• Citation in manuscript: Cite the preprint in your references where relevant, with its DOI and clear labeling as a preprint.
• Transparency: Include the preprint DOI in the Data Availability or Additional Information section if it materially informed the work.
• Media coverage: Distinguish clearly between preprint findings and peer-reviewed publication in any communications.

Media and communication

We encourage responsible communication about preprints. Press releases or social media posts should note that preprints are not peer reviewed and may change during the editorial process.

FAQs

• Will posting a preprint affect my chances? No. Editorial decisions are based on the submitted manuscript and reviewer assessments.
• Can I post reviewer reports? Not without consent from the reviewers and the journal. Respect confidentiality of peer review.
• Which license should I use? CC BY is recommended where possible; select a license consistent with funder or institutional requirements.

Contact

Editorial Office - Preprints
Email: [email protected]