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Szilárd Library

Access to scientific literature and resources

Preprints

What are preprints?

Preprints are scientific manuscripts directly uploaded to a public server by the authors. 

The research findings and methods have not yet been accepted by a journal. After a brief quality check, the article is posted online often within a day without peer review. Peer review of the preprint (integrated with publishing) can be invited after posting by the authors. Depending on the licence chosen by the authors, posting a preprint allows immediate Open Access of the manuscript. Preprints enable authors to retain their rights and control of the timing to share their work with the research community. 

How to post a preprint?

First inform all authors of preprint requirement from EMBL, and collect approval to post a preprint. Choose the appropriate preprint server depending on scope, discipline and type of research article (primary research, review). Find out about the journal’s preprint policy with Sherpa Romeo or Transpose. Choose a licence. Prepare and upload the manuscript according to the preprint server’s guidelines.   

Why are preprints important?

Posting a preprint allows authors to share their completed research as early possible without limitation to access an readership. This is tremendously important for the advancement of research. Beyond that, posting a preprint also confers many advantages to the authors, such as priority claim, increased attention and citation (36% increase in citation), and receiving early engagement with the community (37% receive feedback by email). This early proof of productivity can be used in job applications and internal reviews. If you have specific concerns, please consult with OSIM at OSIM@embl.org. 

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