March 24, 2022
Revised March 28, 2024
〈Overview〉
Q1. What is a preprint?
Q2. What is Jxiv?
Q3. Is Jxiv related to J-STAGE?
〈Submission of Preprints〉
Q4. Is there a charge for submitting manuscripts to Jxiv?
Q5. What types of contents can be submitted to Jxiv?
Q6. Who can submit manuscripts to Jxiv?
Q7. Which research areas does Jxiv accept preprints from?
Q8. In what languages can I submit my preprints?
Q9. Which journals allow the submission of manuscripts distributed in preprints?
Q10. Can I submit a manuscript to Jxiv if it has incorporated peer review feedback?
Q11. Can I submit a manuscript to Jxiv that has already been published in a journal?
Q12. Can I submit translated versions of my manuscripts to Jxiv?
Q13. Can I submit a lecture note to Jxiv?
Q14. Can I submit a manuscript to Jxiv and another preprint server at the same time?
Q15. What are the file formats accepted by Jxiv?
Q16. Can I submit supplemental data to Jxiv?
〈Publication of Preprints〉
Q17. Are Jxiv preprints peer-reviewed?
Q18. Are Jxiv preprints screened before public announcement?
Q19. Does Jxiv have any standard criteria for determining similarity to identify plagiarism?
Q20. Does Jxiv assign a DOI to the preprint?
Q21. Who is responsible for the creation and content of Jxiv preprints?
Q22. How long does it take for a preprint to be available to the public on Jxiv?
Q23. Why hasn’t my preprint been made public even after 48 hours have passed?
〈Preprints and Journals〉
Q24. What happens next to a Jxiv preprint after it is accepted for publication in a journal?
Q25. Will Jxiv preprints link to articles published in journals or elsewhere?
Q26. Can preprints be submitted directly from Jxiv to J-STAGE journals?
〈Copyrights, etc.〉
Q27. Who owns the copyright for the preprints on Jxiv?
Q28. How does Jxiv define licensing options for reuse of the preprint?
〈Modification of Preprints〉
Q29. Can I delete my submitted manuscript before it is made public on Jxiv?
Q30. Can I withdraw or delete a preprint that has been made public on Jxiv?
Q31. Can I modify my preprint after it is made publicly available on Jxiv?
Q32. Are there cases where preprints are withdrawn after it is made public on Jxiv?
Q33. Can a withdrawn preprint be made private on Jxiv?
〈Overview〉
Q1. What is a preprint?
Research papers are generally submitted to scholarly journals, where they are peer-reviewed and revised before being accepted and published. During this process, the manuscript that has not yet been revised based on reviewer’s comments is called a preprint (manuscript before peer review). Preprint servers are servers that make these preprints available for open access. In recent years, preprints have been made publicly available on various preprint servers, allowing researchers to quickly share their results with the academic community and obtain precedence. A preprint is a manuscript that has not yet been peer reviewed. In other words, it is a manuscript that has not been academically evaluated or certified by the scientific community and is not the final published version of an article. The results should not be considered definitive or reported in the news media as established information.
Q2. What is Jxiv?
Jxiv is a publicly funded preprint server operated by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). Preprints submitted from Japan and abroad will be made available for open access on Jxiv.
Q3. Is Jxiv related to J-STAGE?
JST also operates J-STAGE, an electronic journal platform. But Jxiv is an independent service and is not directly related to J-STAGE.
〈Submission of Preprints〉
Q4. Is there a charge for submitting manuscripts to Jxiv?
There is no charge to submit a preprint to Jxiv. Once a preprint is distributed, it remains publicly available with no charge.
Q5. What types of contents can be submitted to Jxiv?
You may submit manuscripts that meet the Jxiv Submission Terms (available at: https://jxiv.jst.go.jp/jxiv_docs/en/Jxiv_submission_terms_en.pdf). In addition to original research papers, review papers and overview papers are accepted. Manuscripts that do not adhere to the style or format of a research paper, do not adhere to the scientific method, violate laws and regulations, breach publication or research ethics, or violate public policy, etc., will not be made available to the public on Jxiv.
Q6. Who can submit manuscripts to Jxiv?
Researchers around the world with a Jxiv account are welcome to submit their manuscripts to Jxiv. Users must have a researchmap or ORCID account before creating an Jxiv account.
Q7. Which research areas does Jxiv accept preprints from?
Jxiv is open to all research fields. You can submit preprints from any field of studies, including natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and other interdisciplinary fields that transcend traditional boundaries.
Q8. In what languages can I submit my preprints?
Jxiv accepts submission of manuscripts written in either Japanese or English.
Q9. Which journals allow the submission of manuscripts distributed in preprints?
While many journals allow authors to submit manuscripts distributed in preprints , some do not. Before submitting a preprint to Jxiv, please check the submission policies of the journals you intend to submit your work to.
For a list of Japanese society journals that allow the submission of preprints distributed on Jxiv and other preprint servers, please see “Journals that allow submission of articles distributed in preprints” available at: https://jxiv.jst.go.jp/index.php/jxiv/announcement/view/4.
*In addition to the journals listed above, there are other journals that accept preprint submissions. Please double check the submission guidelines of the journal you plan to submit to.
Q10. Can I submit a manuscript to Jxiv if it has incorporated peer review feedback?
You may submit the manuscript that reflects changes based on peer review comments or submit it as a revised version to Jxiv, if you have obtained permission from the journal.
Q11. Can I submit a manuscript to Jxiv that has already been published in a journal?
You may submit a manuscript that has already been published in a journal or submit it as a revised version to Jxiv, if you have obtained permission from the journal. Regarding the format of the manuscript submitted to Jxiv, please check the journal’s policies to confirm whether it is acceptable to submit it in the same format as it appears in the journal, or whether it needs to be submitted in a different format (e.g., the author's final draft) from that of the journal.
Q12. Can I submit translated versions of my manuscripts to Jxiv?
Translated versions can be submitted to Jxiv provided that the authors of the translated version are exactly the same as the original version, and that all of the following conditions are met: 1) Notify Jxiv that it is a translated version; 2) Obtain permission from the journal or preprint server where the original article appears; 3) The translated version must be faithful to the original version; and, 4) The title page of the translated version must clearly indicate that it is a translated version and include the bibliographic information of the original version.
If you do not declare to Jxiv that the submitted manuscript is a translated version, it will not be made publicly available on Jxiv.
Permissions obtained from journals or preprint servers (email or document files, etc.) must be provided upon the request from Jxiv after submission. Please prepare the document in PDF format in advance.
Permission type needed:
If the permission will be issued by a journal is “permission to publish the translated work on preprint servers without screening for translation accuracy”
If the permission will be issued by a preprint server is “permission to publish the translated work on another preprint server”.
Additionally, the translated version must be faithful to the original version. Even if there is an innocent mistranslation, it will be deemed not faithful to the original version. Please note that it is the sole responsibility of the author to ensure a faithful translation when preparing the translated version.
Q13. Can I submit a lecture note to Jxiv?
Yes. Lecture notes that have scholarly value based on previous research can be submitted to Jxiv. However, please obtain permission from all copyright holders to make it publicly available on a preprint server in advance .
Q14. Can I submit a manuscript to Jxiv and another preprint server at the same time?
No. Manuscripts that have already been submitted to or distributed on another preprint server cannot be submitted to Jxiv. Simultaneous submission to other preprint servers and Jxiv is also not allowed. Manuscripts submitted to Jxiv cannot be submitted to any other preprint server until they are distributed on Jxiv. However, once a manuscript is made publicly available on Jxiv, it is acceptable to submit it to other preprint servers.
Q15. What are the file formats accepted by Jxiv?
Preprints should be submitted to Jxiv as PDF files. Each file should be no larger than 20 MB. The submitted PDF file will be presented “as is” without any editing or modification. In addition, Word or LaTex files formats may also be submitted.
Q16. Can I submit supplemental data to Jxiv?
Yes. In addition to the main manuscript in PDF format, you can submit ancillary data supporting the manuscript to Jxiv. Each file must not exceed 20 MB in size.
〈Publication of Preprints〉
Q17. Are Jxiv preprints peer-reviewed?
No. Jxiv make submitted manuscripts publicly available without peer review.
Q18. Are Jxiv preprints screened before public announcement?
Manuscripts submitted to Jxiv must meet the requirements of the Submission Terms (available at: https://jxiv.jst.go.jp/jxiv_docs/en/Jxiv_submission_terms_en.pdf), which are, 1) the content is appropriately formatted as a research paper; 2) the content is described based on scientific methods; 3) it is legally and ethically sound; and, 4) free from plagiarism. Preprints are screened at a minimum level for compliance with the Submission Terms before being made publicly available. Some manuscripts may be subject to extra scrutiny if there are concerns about their contents.
Q19. Does Jxiv have any standard criteria for determining similarity to identify plagiarism?
The criteria for judging the similarity of a preprint to previously published work depends on the field of research, the purpose of the research, and the methods used to conduct the research. Therefore, Jxiv does not have a standard criteria such as a percentage of similarity, for identifying plagiarism.
Q20. Does Jxiv assign a DOI to the preprint?
Manuscripts displayed publicly on Jxiv are assigned a DOI, including the string “jxiv”. If multiple versions of a preprint are created (i.e., as a result of revision), all versions will have the same DOI. Therefore, when citing a preprint, the version must be clearly indicated in addition to the DOI.
Q21. Who is responsible for the creation and content of Jxiv preprints?
The authors are solely responsible for the contents of the preprints distributed on Jxiv. Preprint made public on Jxiv does not imply that its contents or quality is endorsed by JST.
Q22. How long does it take for a preprint to be available to the public on Jxiv?
Preprints are usually distributed within 48 hours of submission (excluding JST holidays), as long as there are no problems with the submitted manuscript or bibliographic information.
Q23. Why hasn’t my preprint been made public even after 48 hours have passed?
It may take longer than 48 hours to distribute a preprint on Jxiv if: Jxiv receives a large number of submissions, or the manuscript submitted requires closer examination before distribution. In some cases, the Jxiv administrator may ask the authors to modify their preprint before it can be available to the public on Jxiv. The modified file is usually then distributed within 48 hours after the resubmission of the preprint.
〈Preprints and Journals〉
Q24. What happens next to a Jxiv preprint after it is accepted for publication in a journal?
Once a preprint is made public on Jxiv, it remains online and available to access. The preprint is not made private or deleted after it is published as an article in a journal.
Q25. Will Jxiv preprints link to articles published in journals or elsewhere?
Once a preprint on Jxiv is accepted for publication in a journal or elsewhere, authors will be requested to provide a link to the published article for it to be linked with the preprint on Jxiv.
Q26. Can preprints be submitted directly from Jxiv to J-STAGE journals?
No at this time. However, JST is planning to develop a feature that will enable easy submission of Jxiv preprints to J-STAGE journals, similar to those implemented on other preprint servers.
〈Copyrights, etc.〉
Q27. Who owns the copyright for the preprints on Jxiv?
Jxiv permits manuscript submissions only if authors hold the copyright themselves or if the submitter has acquired permission from the copyright holder, assuming full responsibility. When the preprint is made public on Jxiv, the preprint will state that the authors are the copyright holders. This statement cannot be changed or removed.
Q28. How does Jxiv define licensing options for reuse of the preprint?
Jxiv requires that submitter of the preprint to choose a Creative Commons license for reuse during the submission process. At the time of submission, the copyright holder selects one of six Creative Commons licenses. In accordance with Creative Commons regulations, once a CC license has been granted, it cannot be changed or revoked.
〈Modification of Preprints〉
Q29. Can I delete my submitted manuscript before it is made public on Jxiv?
Yes. Jxiv allows authors to delete their submitted manuscripts before they are made public as preprints. If deleted, the submitted manuscript (including bibliographic information) will not be made public on Jxiv. If you wish to have your submission deleted, please notify the Jxiv administrator immediately after submission.
Q30. Can I withdraw or delete a preprint that has been made public on Jxiv?
No. Preprints that have been made public on Jxiv cannot be unsubmitted or deleted. Preprints cannot be unsubmitted or deleted even in the following scenarios: 1) the paper is published in a journal; 2) the paper has not been published in a journal; 3) the author want to submit the manuscript to a journal that does not accept manuscripts submitted as preprint.
Q31. Can I modify my preprint after it is made publicly available on Jxiv?
Preprints presented on Jxiv can be modified by revisions. To revise a preprint, please submit a revised manuscript in PDF format, which will be screened by JST in the same way as the initial submission and then made public. Changes or additions to bibliographic information or to supplemental data are also considered as revisions. Even after the revision, the previous manuscript in PDF format will remain publicly available without being made private or deleted, and the reason for and date of each revision will be clearly indicated in the bibliographic information. If the revised version to be submitted has already been published, or reflects changes based on from feedback by reviewers or editors of the journal, the submitter must obtain permission from the journal in advance.
Q32. Are there cases where preprints are withdrawn after it is made public on Jxiv?
A preprint on Jxiv may be withdrawn at the discretion of JST in cases where obvious errors have been discovered; research misconduct has been revealed; laws or regulations have been violated. When a preprint is withdrawn, JST will make a revision that will clearly indicate “withdrawn” on the preprint, and the bibliographic information will indicate that it has been withdrawn, as well as the reasons and date. Even if a preprint is withdrawn, the preprint and bibliographic information will continue to be displayed publicly on Jxiv.
Q33. Can a withdrawn preprint be made private on Jxiv?
The preprint can only be set to private if JST determines that there is an issue with keeping the preprint publicly available after it has been withdrawn from Jxiv. Once the preprint is made private, the bibliographic information will indicate that the preprint has been withdrawn and is now private, as well as the reasons for withdrawal and the date of withdrawal. Even if the withdrawn preprint is made private, the bibliographic information will continue to be displayed publicly on Jxiv.