Preprint Policy

Preprint Policy

AIDSAE supports timely dissemination of research and encourages responsible open science. Posting a manuscript as a preprint does not disqualify it from consideration at AIDSAE.

1) Are Preprints Allowed?

Yes. Authors may post their manuscript on a preprint server before submission, during peer review, or after submission to AIDSAE.

AIDSAE does not consider a preprint to be prior publication.

2) Where Can Authors Post Preprints?

Authors may post preprints on recognized repositories and preprint servers (disciplinary or general). Examples include institutional repositories and reputable open repositories. Authors should ensure the chosen platform:

  • clearly labels the work as a preprint (not peer-reviewed), and
  • provides a stable public link and versioning where possible.

3) What Should Authors Disclose at Submission?

When submitting to AIDSAE, authors should:

  • disclose whether a preprint exists, and
  • provide the preprint DOI/link (if available).

This helps editors and reviewers assess transparency and version history.

4) Updates During Review

If the manuscript changes substantially during peer review, authors may update the preprint. Where possible, authors should:

  • upload a revised version rather than replacing the existing file, and
  • keep version history visible.

5) Linking After Publication (Version of Record)

If the manuscript is accepted and published in AIDSAE, authors should update the preprint record to include:

  • the full citation of the published article, and
  • a link to the Version of Record on the AIDSAE website (and DOI if assigned).

Suggested wording for the preprint page:

“This work has been peer-reviewed and published in Applied AI & Data Science for Health, Agriculture & Environment (AIDSAE). Please cite the Version of Record.”

6) Preprints and Double-Blind Peer Review

AIDSAE uses double-blind peer review. Authors should ensure that the anonymised manuscript submitted for review does not contain identifying information, regardless of whether a preprint exists online.

AIDSAE recognises that preprints can reduce anonymity in some cases; however, AIDSAE will continue to apply double-blind review procedures and expects reviewers to focus on the scientific content.

7) Media, Publicity, and Responsible Communication

Authors may discuss their preprint publicly, but should clearly state that the work is not yet peer-reviewed (if that is the case). Authors should avoid overstating conclusions, especially where health or policy decisions could be affected.

8) Research Integrity

All AIDSAE integrity expectations apply equally to preprinted work. Authors must ensure:

  • originality and proper citation,
  • accurate reporting (no fabricated results),
  • ethics approvals/consent where applicable, and
  • lawful sharing of data (especially for sensitive health or location data).

9) Contact

For questions about preprints and submissions, contact us