Purpose
A preprint is a version of a research manuscript that has not been peer reviewed and is posted publicly on a preprint server or website. Preprints let researchers share findings early and receive feedback. LMDAJ’s position is set out below. It aims to help authors without creating risks for patients.
Our position
- LMDAJ considers manuscripts that have been posted as preprints. Posting a preprint is not prior publication and does not prevent consideration by LMDAJ.
- Authors may post their submitted version (before peer review) on a recognised preprint server or their institution’s repository at any time.
- Authors may choose any licence for the preprint. They must be aware that the chosen licence affects sharing and reuse, and must not conflict with LMDAJ’s licence to publish.
- LMDAJ does not take preprints into account in judging the novelty of a submission.
Author responsibilities
- Disclose the preprint when submitting: the server, DOI/URL and the licence. Disclosure can also be made later during review.
- Update the preprint record with a link to the published article (DOI and URL) when it is published. The preprint should state that a peer-reviewed version exists.
- Label the preprint clearly as not peer reviewed. Avoid presenting preprints as final results.
- Do not post the accepted or published version except as allowed by the Open Access Policy.
- Check that all co-authors agree to posting.
- If peer review changes the findings, the preprint should be updated or marked as superseded so readers are not misled.
Preprints and patient safety
Preprints are not peer reviewed and should not be used for clinical decisions or reported to the public as established findings without making clear they are preliminary. LMDAJ asks authors to avoid media campaigns around unreviewed clinical findings. Clinical trial and drug/device results should carry a clear warning.
Media and embargo
Discussion of a preprint at scientific meetings or in the scientific community is welcome. Authors should not give press coverage to a manuscript under review beyond the preprint itself, and should not release details of an accepted manuscript before publication.
Peer review of preprinted manuscripts
- Reviewers are told the manuscript may be a preprint. Comments on the preprint are not a substitute for peer review.
- Reviewers should not be influenced by public comments or citations; editors may consider relevant comments.
- Reviews and decisions remain confidential.
Editors and preprints
- LMDAJ editors do not post manuscripts under review on any server without the authors’ consent.
What is not a preprint
Posting in a thesis or dissertation, conference abstracts and posters, and talks do not count as prior publication, if they are not a full report of the work. Authors should disclose them.
Misuse
Posting under another person’s name, or dishonestly presenting a preprint’s data as peer-reviewed, may be treated as misconduct (Publication Ethics Policy).
Contact
Preprint questions: the Contact the Editorial Office page.
Appendix A: Suggested author wording
“A version of this manuscript was posted as a preprint at [server], DOI [..], on [date], under licence [CC BY]. It has not been peer reviewed at the time of submission.”