Postprint
A postprint, often termed the author's accepted manuscript (AAM), refers to the final draft of a scholarly article submitted to a journal after peer review revisions but prior to the publisher's typesetting, copy-editing, and formatting.[1][2] This version incorporates changes mandated by referees to address scientific accuracy, methodology, and clarity, distinguishing it from earlier iterations while lacking the journal's proprietary stylistic elements such as layout, page numbers, and branding.[3][4] Postprints serve a critical function in scholarly communication by bridging the gap between peer-validated research and public dissemination, particularly within green open access frameworks where authors self-archive these manuscripts in institutional or subject repositories.[5][6] Unlike preprints, which precede evaluation and risk disseminating unvetted claims, postprints affirm acceptance by experts, enhancing credibility without awaiting the often delayed version of record.[2][7] This practice promotes broader accessibility to validated findings, mitigating paywall barriers while respecting publishers' rights to the polished final product, though policies vary by journal and funder mandates.[6][5]Definition and Characteristics
Core Elements of a Postprint
A postprint refers to the author's accepted manuscript following peer review and revisions but before publisher-imposed formatting, copy-editing, or typesetting.[1] This version incorporates changes mandated or suggested by referees to address scientific accuracy, methodology, and clarity, ensuring it meets the journal's acceptance criteria without altering the core research findings.[4] Unlike preprints, which precede evaluation, postprints reflect validated scholarly content, though they retain the author's original styling and may include minor inconsistencies resolved later in production.[2] Key structural components of a postprint encompass the full revised text body, including introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusions sections, as amended post-review.[7] It typically features an updated abstract summarizing the study's objectives, findings, and implications; author affiliations and acknowledgments; and a bibliography with citations verified during revision.[8] Figures, tables, and supplementary data are included in their author-prepared formats—often as separate files or embedded drafts—without professional layout or resolution enhancements applied by the publisher.[9] Postprints exclude elements like final page numbering, journal-specific fonts, or proprietary branding, distinguishing them from the version of record.[6] Metadata such as keywords, funding disclosures, and conflict-of-interest statements are present, as these are finalized during acceptance to comply with publication standards.[10] In some disciplines, postprints may append reviewer comments or response letters as appendices for transparency, though this varies by journal policy.[5] Overall, these elements prioritize content fidelity over aesthetic polish, enabling self-archiving while preserving the peer-reviewed essence.[11]Distinctions from Related Manuscript Versions
A postprint is distinguished from a preprint by the incorporation of revisions based on peer review feedback; preprints represent earlier drafts, typically the version submitted for review or prior iterations, without such modifications.[2][1] Preprints are shared to solicit informal feedback or establish priority but lack the validation from formal refereeing.[12] In relation to the accepted manuscript (also known as the author's accepted manuscript or AAM), the terms "postprint" and "accepted manuscript" are frequently used interchangeably to denote the peer-reviewed, revised version handed to the publisher for production, excluding any subsequent formatting or copy-editing by the journal.[7][5] This stage captures the author's final substantive content post-refereeing but retains the author's original structure, lacking proprietary elements like journal-specific typesetting or proofs.[13] Unlike the published version or version of record, a postprint omits the publisher's final interventions, such as professional layout, indexing, DOI assignment in the journal context, and minor editorial polish, which can alter pagination, figures, or phrasing without changing core findings.[10][9] These publisher additions ensure consistency across issues but are not part of the author's intellectual contribution, making the postprint suitable for self-archiving under many open access policies.[14]| Manuscript Version | Key Stage | Content Modifications | Formatting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preprint | Pre-peer review submission | None from formal review; optional author updates | Author's original |
| Postprint (Accepted Manuscript) | Post-peer review acceptance | Revisions per referees | Author's original, no publisher edits |
| Published Version | Final journal output | Publisher copy-editing and typesetting | Journal-specific layout and proofs[7][2][10] |