Key points at a glance
- Check publication status.
- Cite the exact version read.
- Match the strength of the claim to the evidence.
Check status beyond the platform label
A preprint is a publicly available manuscript version; many have not yet undergone conventional journal peer review. Check the record for version date, review notes and a link to a later publication. The label alone proves neither soundness nor error.
Reference the version you used
Example: A 2024 manuscript has a version 2, while a peer-reviewed journal article appeared in 2025. Cite the version supporting your claim with author, year, title, repository, version and DOI/URL according to your style. Check whether findings changed.
Qualify the evidence
For an unreviewed claim, write “The preprint reports …” rather than “It is proven …”. Look for independent support and assess method, sample and access to data. Early access is useful in fast-moving fields, but it does not replace appraisal.
Follow your department’s source policy
Some supervisors limit unpublished work. Ask whether preprints suit your question and how to label them. Do not silently swap in a later article if the content differs.
Final submission context
Formal details can feel like a separate writing task, but they matter just as much for a printed submission. Anything missing, misplaced or inconsistently formatted in the document will also appear in the bound copy.
Use this guide together with your cover page, table of contents, page numbers, source notes and appendices. Prepare the final PDF for printing and binding only after the complete file has been checked.
Practical check before PDF export
- Do headings, chapter structure and page numbers match?
- Are sources, figures and tables included completely?
- Are required elements such as declarations, appendices or the cover page included where required?
- Did you open and check the final PDF after exporting it?
Checklist
- Version and date recorded.
- Later publication searched.
- Status visible in prose.
- Citation style checked.
Common mistakes
- Calling a preprint peer reviewed without checking.
- Citing only a repository homepage.
- Replacing versions without comparing claims.
Prepare the finished thesis for submission
Once the content and university requirements are checked, review your PDF and the available printing and binding options.
Review printing optionsRelated content
Explore related guidance on thesis structure, sources, formatting and final submission.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cite a preprint?
Often, if your programme allows it and you disclose its status.
Are all preprints unreviewed?
Not necessarily; inspect the actual version and publication record.
Which version should I cite?
The version from which your claim comes.