Preprint Policy

The Global South Journal of Applied Research (GSJAR) permits authors to post a manuscript on a recognised preprint server, institutional repository or personal scholarly website before submission or during peer review.

Posting a preprint does not normally constitute prior publication, provided that the author discloses the preprint at submission and supplies its identifier or location.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that preprint posting complies with participant consent, confidentiality, intellectual-property, funder and institutional requirements.

The manuscript submitted to GSJAR should identify relevant preprint dissemination in the cover letter. Editors may request anonymisation arrangements where the preprint makes author identity readily discoverable, but the existence of a preprint will not automatically disqualify the manuscript from double-anonymous review.

Authors should not present an unreviewed preprint as though it were a journal-validated publication. Public communications should distinguish clearly between a preprint and the peer-reviewed Version of Record.

When an article is published, authors should update the preprint record with the full citation and link to the final journal version. The published article remains the Version of Record.

Substantial differences between the preprint and submitted manuscript should be disclosed where they affect interpretation, authorship, data or conclusions.

The journal may decline a manuscript where prior public dissemination prevents lawful publication, breaches participant confidentiality or constitutes duplicate publication rather than legitimate preprint sharing.