Preprints are early versions of research that authors share before peer review in order to speed the process of review and publication. Papers are hosted on preprint servers that provide a search interface, basic metadata, and a file for download.
Preprints are a part of the changing Open Access publishing environment. The practice began in physics and has gained acceptance across academic disciplines and now there are several dedicated preprint servers within the fields where IFPRI works. IFPRI has used the preprint server RePEc, a standard within the field of economics, for many years.
When considering submission to a journal, authors should take care to understand the publishing policy of the journal as some will not accept manuscripts previously available as a preprint, though this is less true than in the past.
IFPRI KM will submit papers published by IFPRI to RePEc, and SSRN (only discussion papers) on your behalf, so you do not need to do this on your own. If there are other preprint servers you are interested in, please contact ifpri-library@cgiar.org to discuss it with us.
The list below is of preprint servers that may be of interest to IFPRI researchers.