Sharing research early: Why preprints matter

Want to share your research faster and make it more robust? 

Preprints are early versions of research papers shared publicly before peer review. Long used in fields like physics, biology and medicine, they’re now gaining traction across many disciplines. 

How preprints can benefit your research 

• Speed: In fast-moving fields, preprints let readers access new findings quickly, which can help shape their own research sooner. 
• Visibility and feedback: As an author, you can share your work earlier and often receive constructive feedback that strengthens your final publication. 

Where to find preprints 

Multidisciplinary preprint servers: 

• OSF Preprints 
• SSRN (Social Science Research Network) 
• Zenodo 

Discipline-specific preprint servers: 

• arXiv.org –physics, maths, economics 
• bioRxiv – biology 
• ChemRxiv – chemistry 
• EdArxiv – education 
• engrXiv  – engineering 
• medRxiv – medicine 
• PsyArXiv – psychology 
• RePEc EconPapers – economics 
• SocArxiv – social sciences 

Explore the Directory of Open Access Preprint Repositories (DOAPR) to find a server that suits your field. 

Check publisher policies 

Planning to submit your manuscript to a journal later? Always check the publisher’s policy first. Some welcome preprints; others may treat them as prior publication. Each publisher has its own rules, so it’s important to confirm what’s allowed to avoid disappointment. 

Need help? 

If you have any questions about accessing or sharing preprints, contact the Library—we’re here to help.