Preprints are a valuable type of manuscript for authors, but do they count as publications? This is a common question many researchers ask themselves, and the simple answer would be no, they do not count as publications—at least not in the traditional sense. Here, we’ll discuss the distinction between “publication” and “posting” in relation to journal articles and preprints, and, more importantly, how preprints still function as a legitimate scholarly output with citable DOIs and relevance for CVs and grant applications.
“Publication” vs “posting”
The terms “publication” and “posting” help us to distinguish between preprints and journal articles.
In the conventional academic sense, “publication” means peer-reviewed and accepted by a scholarly journal. A preprint is “published” in the sense of being publicly available and citable, but not in the sense of having passed formal peer review. It is more common to refer to preprints as being “posted” online.
Most journals explicitly state that preprints are not considered prior publications (for example, MDPI and many other major publishers). Databases such as Web of Science also keep preprints separate from curated published content through the Preprint Citation Index.
Despite this distinction, preprints can be cited in a similar sense to peer-reviewed articles.
Preprints as citable outputs
Upon posting on servers like Preprints.org, preprints are automatically assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI). This is a unique, permanent string of characters that identifies any digital “object.” A DOI represents the object (publication, report, dataset, etc.) itself, rather than its online location (webpage or URL, publisher, etc.). Different versions of a preprint may exist. Therefore, having a stable DOI for others to be able to cite the correct version of the manuscript is important.
There is no universal standard across journals dictating whether preprints can be referenced. Further to that, there is variation between disciplines. But preprint citation is a common practice in disciplines such as the physical sciences and has become common in the life sciences only in recent years. Publishers such as Wiley encourage researchers to cite preprints, so long as they make it clear that the citation refers to a preprint.
The citability of preprints is extremely useful in fast-developing fields such as physics and epidemiology. During the COVID-19 pandemic for example, researchers from around the globe were able to reference each other’s work. This helped build an authoritative knowledge base from which effective solutions could be created and implemented in areas such as public policy.
Using preprints on CVs and grant applications
Preprints are increasingly being recognised as a legitimate form of scholarly output. This recognition means that preprints are generally accepted on CVs and grant applications.
Indeed, some bodies, such as The Medical Research Council (MRC), a part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), actively encourages the inclusion of preprints in publication lists for grant and followship applications and applications for posts that require evidence of research productivity.
Preprints may be cited in applications only if they have a permanent identifier such as a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) or any other persistent identifier.
Here is a checklist for researchers looking to use preprints in CVs and grant applications:
- Check funder, institution, and journal policies regarding preprints individually;
- Label preprints clearly in publication lists;
- Include the DOI and posting dates;
- Note if the work is under journal review and at which journal if appropriate.
To learn more about preprints, see our complete guide on preprints for researchers. Also see our article on the benefits of posting a preprint.