**Open Science Essentials in 2 minutes, Part 4**
In today’s rapidly changing scientific environment, ensuring research is available to everyone is vital. One important approach to accomplish this is through **preprints**: publicly shared drafts of research articles that are distributed before going through the formal peer-review and publication stages in academic journals. In this section, we will briefly outline the fundamentals of preprints and how to utilize them to foster open science.
### What is a Preprint?
Prior to a research article being peer-reviewed and officially published in a journal, you can circulate it as a **preprint**. A preprint is merely an openly shared, initial iteration of your work. Rather than waiting for extended (or even years-long) journal-reviewed delays, you can immediately and freely present your ideas to the public and fellow researchers.
You can publish a preprint on your personal website, but it is advisable to utilize well-established **preprint servers** like [PsyArXiv](http://psyarxiv.com/) (for psychology studies) or other subject-specific platforms. These servers are backed by the [Open Science Framework (OSF)](https://mindhacks.com/2017/11/09/open-science-essentials-the-open-science-framework/), which ensures your preprint remains accessible over time and can be easily discovered by others in your discipline.
### Rapid Dissemination and Enhanced Visibility
Preprints enable **swift dissemination** of your results, a crucial factor for **early career researchers** aiming to make their mark. Moreover, platforms like **Google Scholar** monitor preprint citations, which means that any citations received by your preprint will transfer over after formal publication, elevating the discoverability and impact of your research.
### Early Feedback and Error Checks
An additional significant advantage of preprints is the opportunity to obtain **early feedback** from the research community. Since your work is available to the public, you can identify possible mistakes, receive valuable critiques, or create new collaborative ventures before you finalize your publication.
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### What Happens When My Paper is Published?
Upon formal publication of your paper, the **preprint remains accessible**. This guarantees that a **non-paywalled version** of your work is available for others, considerably increasing the potential readership and citation of your research. If you submit the version after it has been accepted, this is referred to as a **postprint**.
### Copyright Considerations
Most journals hold the copyright for the **formatted, typeset version** of your published paper. Generally, you cannot publicly share the final journal PDF, but **you can upload a preformatted version** containing the same information (i.e., devoid of the journal’s typesetting). This version is often permissible for free sharing on preprint servers, permitting public access to your research while adhering to legal requirements.
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### Do Journals Accept Papers That Have Already Been Preprinted?
In nearly all situations, **yes**! [Most journals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_academic_journals_by_preprint_policy) accept or actively promote preprints as part of the research landscape. While a few journals may not accept them, such instances are dwindling as **openness** becomes more prevalent in research. To confirm, you can check the specific preprint policy on services like [Sherpa/RoMEO](http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/index.php).
### Fear of Getting Scooped?
A shared concern is the potential for being “scooped,” meaning another researcher publishes comparable findings before you gain recognition. There’s no need for alarm: **preprints offer protection against this.** By publicly disseminating your research with a timestamp, a preprint acts as an **official record** of your work, establishing your precedence for a discovery or concept.
However, if your research involves highly confidential or sensitive data (such as patentable findings), **preprints may not be appropriate** since revealing preliminary information could jeopardize proprietary aspects.
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### When Should I Upload a Preprint?
The optimal moment to upload a preprint is when your paper is submitted to a journal. If the paper is revised or rejected and subsequently submitted elsewhere, you can continuously update the preprint to reflect these changes. Once your manuscript is accepted, you may also upload the **postprint** as a concluding step.
### Risks of Lower Quality Preprints?
While preprints do not undergo peer review, scholars generally share high-quality work because the scientific community places great importance on **reputation**. Researchers aim to present well-considered ideas, understanding that substandard work can harm their credibility in the field; thus, occurrences of intentionally low-quality preprints are uncommon.
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### Conclusion
Preprints play a crucial role in enhancing the **speed**, **accessibility**, and **visibility** of your research. Sharing preliminary versions of your manuscripts encourages interaction, peer feedback, and an increase in citations over time. Given