Preprint Policy

The Journal of AI and Integrative Medicine (JAIIM) supports the responsible dissemination of scientific knowledge and recognizes the value of preprints in accelerating research communication.

Authors may submit manuscripts that have previously been posted on recognized non-commercial or community-supported preprint servers, provided that the work has not undergone formal peer review or been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

This policy is consistent with the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), and internationally accepted best practices in scholarly publishing.

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1. Purpose

The objectives of this policy are to:

  • Encourage the rapid dissemination of research findings.

  • Promote transparency in scientific communication.

  • Support open science initiatives.

  • Preserve the integrity of the peer review process.

  • Clarify the journal's position regarding preprints.

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2. Definition of a Preprint

A preprint is a complete scientific manuscript that is publicly available on a recognized preprint server before formal peer review and publication in a scholarly journal.

A preprint may include:

  • Original research articles.

  • Clinical research.

  • Artificial Intelligence studies.

  • Integrative medicine research.

  • Biomedical research.

  • Health informatics studies.

Posting a manuscript as a preprint does not constitute prior publication for the purposes of submission to JAIIM.

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3. Submission of Preprinted Manuscripts

Authors may submit manuscripts that have previously been posted as preprints.

During submission, authors should disclose:

  • The name of the preprint server.

  • The DOI or persistent identifier (if available).

  • The URL of the preprint.

  • The date of posting.

This information should be provided in the cover letter or during the manuscript submission process.

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4. Acceptable Preprint Servers

Examples of recognized preprint platforms include:

  • medRxiv

  • bioRxiv

  • arXiv

  • Research Square

  • SSRN

  • OSF Preprints

  • Institutional preprint repositories

  • Other reputable discipline-specific preprint servers

The journal reserves the right to evaluate the suitability of any preprint platform.

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5. Peer Review of Preprints

Manuscripts posted as preprints are evaluated through the same editorial and double-blind peer review process as all other submissions.

The existence of a preprint does not influence:

  • Editorial assessment.

  • Reviewer selection.

  • Peer review standards.

  • Acceptance decisions.

Editorial decisions are based solely on scientific quality, originality, methodological rigor, ethical compliance, and relevance to the journal's scope.

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6. Citation of Preprints

Authors may cite preprints where appropriate.

Preprint citations should:

  • Be clearly identified as preprints.

  • Include the preprint server.

  • Include the DOI or persistent identifier where available.

  • Follow the journal's reference style.

Authors should update references if a cited preprint is subsequently published in a peer-reviewed journal.

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7. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are responsible for:

  • Disclosing any preprint versions during submission.

  • Ensuring that the submitted manuscript accurately reflects the current version of the work.

  • Updating the preprint after journal publication where appropriate.

  • Complying with copyright and licensing requirements of the preprint server.

Authors remain responsible for the accuracy and integrity of all versions of their work.

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8. Version Updates

Following publication in JAIIM, authors are encouraged to update the preprint record by:

  • Indicating that the article has been published in JAIIM.

  • Providing the final citation.

  • Linking the preprint to the published Version of Record using the article DOI.

This helps readers access the peer-reviewed and authoritative version of the article.

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9. Responsibilities of Editors

Editors will evaluate manuscripts that have been posted as preprints using the same editorial standards applied to all submissions.

Editors may verify:

  • Disclosure of preprint status.

  • Consistency between the submitted manuscript and the preprint.

  • Compliance with the journal's ethical and publication policies.

Preprint status alone will not affect editorial decisions.

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10. Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers should assess manuscripts based solely on their scientific merit.

If a reviewer becomes aware that a manuscript has been posted as a preprint, they should:

  • Maintain confidentiality throughout the review process.

  • Avoid allowing public comments on the preprint to influence their evaluation.

  • Notify the handling editor if significant concerns are identified regarding discrepancies between the submitted manuscript and the preprint.

The journal's double-blind peer review process remains applicable regardless of the existence of a preprint.

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11. Licensing of Preprints

Authors should ensure that the license selected for a preprint is compatible with subsequent publication in JAIIM.

Where applicable, authors are encouraged to:

  • Review the licensing terms of the preprint server before posting.

  • Ensure that the chosen license does not prevent publication in JAIIM.

  • Comply with applicable copyright and licensing requirements.

Upon publication in JAIIM, the Version of Record will be governed by the journal's Copyright and Open Access policies.

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12. Media Coverage and Public Communication

Authors are encouraged to communicate their research responsibly before and after publication.

When discussing findings that are available only as preprints, authors should clearly indicate that:

  • The work has not yet undergone peer review.

  • Findings are preliminary.

  • Conclusions may change following peer review.

Authors should avoid making unsupported clinical or public health claims based solely on preprint findings.

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13. Withdrawal of Preprints

The journal does not normally require authors to remove a preprint following submission or publication.

If a preprint is withdrawn by the authors or the hosting platform, authors should notify the Editorial Office if the manuscript is under consideration by JAIIM.

The withdrawal of a preprint does not automatically affect the editorial evaluation of a submitted manuscript.

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14. Published Version of Record

Following publication in JAIIM, the peer-reviewed Version of Record becomes the definitive and citable version of the article.

Authors are encouraged to update any existing preprint records by:

  • Adding the journal citation.

  • Including the Digital Object Identifier (DOI).

  • Linking directly to the published Version of Record on the journal website.

  • Indicating that the manuscript has successfully completed peer review.

This practice promotes accurate citation and helps readers identify the final published article.

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15. Policy Violations

Failure to disclose a previously posted preprint or providing misleading information regarding a manuscript's publication history may be considered a breach of the journal's publication policies.

Where necessary, JAIIM may:

  • Request clarification from the authors.

  • Require correction of the submission record.

  • Suspend editorial processing.

  • Reject the manuscript.

  • Take appropriate editorial action in accordance with the journal's Publication Ethics Policy.

Each case will be evaluated individually and fairly.

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16. Policy Review

JAIIM periodically reviews this Preprint Policy to ensure continued alignment with evolving international standards and best practices in scholarly publishing.

Updates may reflect recommendations issued by:

  • Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

  • International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)

  • Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)

  • World Association of Medical Editors (WAME)

The latest version of this policy will be available on the journal website.

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17. Contact Information

Questions regarding preprints, manuscript submission, or publication policies may be directed to:

Editorial Office
Journal of AI and Integrative Medicine (JAIIM)
Novadex Publications

Email: editor@novadexpub.com

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18. Commitment to Open Science

The Journal of AI and Integrative Medicine (JAIIM) supports responsible open science practices that promote the rapid dissemination, transparency, and accessibility of scientific research.

By permitting the submission of manuscripts previously posted as preprints, while maintaining rigorous double-blind peer review and high editorial standards, JAIIM seeks to balance the timely communication of research with the publication of reliable, high-quality scientific evidence.

The journal encourages authors to use preprint platforms responsibly and to ensure that the published Version of Record is clearly identified as the authoritative source for citation and future scholarly use.