Submission of Preprints to Other Journals: Guidelines and Best Practices
When considering the submission of a preprint to other journals, it is crucial to understand the specific expectations and conventions of your research field. The process of sharing your work as a preprint and subsequently submitting it for formal publication can be a double-edged sword, offering rapid dissemination but also raising concerns about ethical and legal implications. This article aims to clarify the nuances of this practice and provide guidelines to help researchers navigate the process smoothly.
Field-Specific Practices for Preprints
The treatment of preprints significantly varies by academic field. For example, in mathematics, physics, and a majority of computer science, researchers are expected to upload their work to platforms like arXiv before submitting it for formal publication. Some journals even mandate the submission of arXiv IDs explicitly. However, in chemistry and biomedical fields, it is absolutely forbidden to submit a paper that has already been published online, including preprints on arXiv or university repositories.
It is paramount to understand the standard practices in your field before uploading or submitting any work. Do not rely on guesses or advice from unverified sources. Instead, consult your faculty advisor or other active researchers in your field for guidance.
The Role of Preprints in Research
Preprints are an excellent method to make your results available to the academic community more rapidly. Publishing your work as a preprint not only increases visibility but also facilitates timely feedback from the research community. Well-known preprint platforms include arXiv, bioRxiv, and the Open Science Framework (OSF), which offers several rXiv services.
These preprint services are open access, allowing everyone to access the work without charge. Preprints serve as a self-archived version of your work, not officially peer-reviewed. They are intended for personal use and can be submitted to journals or conferences without issues. However, if the preprint is later published, you may need to remove or modify it to cite the published work.
Submission Guidelines for Preprints
It is crucial to adhere to the following guidelines when submitting a preprint to another journal:
Single Submission**: Submit your preprint to only one journal or conference at a time. Multiple simultaneous submissions are generally frowned upon and may violate journal policies. Withdraw and Update**: If your preprint is under review and you wish to withdraw it for submission to another journal, do so respectfully and update both the preprint and the manuscript with the latest information and citations. Modify and Cite**: If your preprint is eventually published in a journal, remove or modify the preprint to refer to the published version. Wait for Rejection**: If your preprint is accepted and eventually published, you can withdraw and resubmit to other journals. However, it is unethical to submit your preprint to another journal before it is officially rejected.Once your preprint is officially rejected, you are free to resubmit it to other journals. This ensures you adhere to ethical standards and respect the submission protocols of each journal.
Understanding the field-specific practices and following these guidelines will help you effectively manage the submission process of your preprint, ensuring both ethical conduct and timely dissemination of your research.