**Open Science Essentials in 2 Minutes, Part 4**
Prior to the publication of a research article in a journal, it is possible to make it accessible for free to anyone interested. Instead of placing it on your own site, you may upload it to a preprint server like [psyarxiv.com](http://psyarxiv.com/), backed by the [OSF](https://mindhacks.com/2017/11/09/open-science-essentials-the-open-science-framework/), which guarantees longevity and facilitates the discovery of others’ research.
Preprint servers have historically been utilized in physics, and their popularity is now spreading across various academic disciplines. They allow for the swift dissemination of research, which is vital for early-career researchers. Additionally, preprints are citable, and indexing services like Google Scholar merge preprint citations with final journal articles. Preprints provide the opportunity for work to be assessed and for errors to be corrected prior to official publication.
**What occurs when my paper is published?**
Your research continues to be available as a preprint, guaranteeing that a non-paywalled version is accessible, which may enhance readership and citations. Upload a post-acceptance version, known as a post-print.
**What regarding copyright?**
Journals generally possess the formatted, typeset version, meaning you often cannot upload the PDF to your website or a preprint server. However, you may upload a different version with identical text but a distinct format.
**Will journals reject my paper if it’s already “published” as a preprint?**
[Most journals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_academic_journals_by_preprint_policy) accept or advocate for preprints, with a dwindling minority opposed. For detailed information, investigate journal policies [here](http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/index.php).
**Am I at risk of getting scooped?**
Preprints provide a timestamp for your work before publication, establishing your priority on findings and guarding against being scooped. However, refrain from using preprints for projects where confidentiality is paramount until after publication.
**When is the right time to upload a preprint?**
Upload a preprint at the time of journal submission, with each new submission, and once accepted as a post-print.
**What prevents individuals from uploading poor-quality work to a preprint server?**
While nothing stops this from happening, it is vital for scholars to uphold a reputation for quality, hence publishing low-quality work is not recommended.
**Useful links:**
**Part of a series:**
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/)