Cite a preprint the same way you would cite any other scholarly source — author names, year, title, and repository identifier — but add the preprint server name and, crucially, the version or DOI you actually read, since preprints in fast-moving fields can be updated frequently.
In fast-moving fields like AI, genomics, or climate science, preprints often become the de facto primary literature months before peer-reviewed publication. Here’s a practical framework:
1. Follow the repository’s citation format
Most preprint servers (arXiv, bioRxiv, medRxiv, SSRN) generate a suggested citation. Use that as your baseline. For example:
- arXiv: Author(s), title, arXiv:XXXX.XXXXX [category], year.
- bioRxiv: Author(s), title, bioRxiv, DOI, year.
2. Always include the version or DOI
A preprint’s content can change between v1 and v3. Cite the specific version you consulted, not just the base record. If the server assigns a DOI (bioRxiv does; arXiv uses arXiv IDs), include it. This makes your citation traceable and reproducible — essential in a field where the “latest” version might differ from what you actually cited.
3. Add the access date
In fast-moving fields, a preprint from six months ago may have been replaced, withdrawn, or published in a journal. Adding “Accessed [date]” protects you if the record changes. Many citation styles (APA, MLA, Chicago) explicitly allow or require this for online sources.
4. Mention the preprint status in your text
If the preprint is central to your argument, note its status in the narrative: “As reported in a recent preprint (Author et al., 2025)…” This signals to readers that the work has not yet undergone formal peer review, which is standard practice in fast-moving fields.
5. Update your citation if the paper is published
Check periodically whether the preprint has been accepted. If it has, cite the published version (with the journal DOI) going forward, but you can keep the preprint citation in your notes or add a note like “Published in Nature as [DOI]” to help readers.
A practical tip for tracking versions
If you’re managing multiple preprints across a fast-moving field, WisPaper’s My Library can automatically extract metadata from uploaded PDFs and keep version details organized — so you don’t have to manually track which version you cited in which draft.
The bottom line
Cite the preprint fully (authors, year, title, server, version/DOI, access date), be transparent about its status, and update to the peer-reviewed version when it appears. This keeps your work reproducible and credible, even in the most rapidly evolving research areas.
