# Open Science Essentials in 2 Minutes: Part 4 – Preprints
Prior to the formal publication of a research article in a journal, you have the chance to make it openly accessible for others. You could post it on your personal site, but a superior choice is to upload it to a **preprint server**, such as [PsyArXiv](http://psyarxiv.com/), where fellow researchers also publish their preprints.
Preprint servers, backed by platforms like the [Open Science Framework (OSF)](https://mindhacks.com/2017/11/09/open-science-essentials-the-open-science-framework/), guarantee long-term availability and facilitate the discovery and interaction with other researchers’ work.
## Why Utilize Preprints?
Preprint servers have been extensively utilized in physics for years and are now being adopted in various academic domains. They provide numerous benefits:
– **Swift dissemination** – Research can be released instantly, enabling others to discuss your results prior to journal publication. This is especially advantageous for **early career researchers** aiming to build their reputation.
– **Citation tracking for preprints** – Platforms like **Google Scholar** typically combine citations of your preprint with those of the officially published version, ensuring your contributions receive due acknowledgment.
– **Initial feedback and error identification** – Preprints allow for reviews from peers and the public before the final publication, aiding in the enhancement of research and early detection of errors.
## What Occurs Once My Paper is Published?
Even after a journal publishes it, your **preprint stays accessible**, serving as an open-access copy for a broader audience. If you upload a version **post-acceptance** but prior to formal typesetting, it is referred to as a **postprint**. Having a publicly available version can expand your work’s visibility, resulting in more citations.
## How Does Copyright Work?
Most publishers **retain ownership of the final formatted version** of a published manuscript. While you may be prohibited from sharing the official **PDF** of your published article, journals usually permit you to distribute a **version containing the same content**, just formatted differently (for instance, a Word document devoid of journal branding).
## Can Journals Refuse My Paper Because It’s on a Preprint Server?
The majority of journals **permit or even promote preprints**. A few journals do not, but their numbers are diminishing. You can verify specific journal guidelines regarding preprints using resources like the [Sherpa/RoMEO database](http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/index.php).
## Am I at Risk of Being Scooped?
Preprints act as **timestamped evidence** of your research, which establishes precedence for your findings. This serves as a protective measure against being “scooped” by another investigator. Nevertheless, if you are working in a highly competitive field and prefer to keep your findings confidential until publication, using preprints might not be the best option.
## When is the Right Time to Upload a Preprint?
Best practices recommend uploading a preprint:
– **When submitting** to a journal.
– **If resubmitting to another journal** following rejection.
– **After acceptance**, revising it as a **postprint**.
## What Prevents Low-Quality Research From Being Uploaded?
Though preprint servers do not always implement rigorous peer review processes, researchers rely on their **academic reputation** for legitimacy. Sharing poorly executed research can tarnish your position in the scientific community.
## Helpful Links
This article is part of a series on Open Science:
1. [Pre-registration](https://mindhacks.com/2017/11/09/open-science-essentials-pre-registration/)
2. [The Open Science Framework](https://mindhacks.com/2017/11/09/open-science-essentials-the-open-science-framework/)
3. [Reproducibility](https://mindhacks.com/2018/01/02/open-science-essentials-reproducibility/)
By adopting preprints, you enhance the accessibility, visibility, and significance of your research while supporting the ethos of **open science**. 🚀