Guides
Guides to peer review and preprints
How peer review works, how long it takes, what it costs to publish, and how a preprint gets reviewed. Every figure links to its source.
What is a peer-reviewed preprint?
A peer-reviewed preprint is a preprint that experts have reviewed and the author has revised, published with its reviews. How it differs from a journal article.
How to get a preprint peer-reviewed
The routes to get a preprint peer-reviewed: a journal, eLife, Review Commons, Peer Community In, PREreview or Unjournal. What each gives you and how to prepare.
How long does peer review take?
Journal peer review takes about 13 weeks to a first decision and 17 weeks in all for accepted papers, with big gaps between fields. Why, with sources.
Article processing charges explained
An article processing charge (APC) is the fee to publish a paper open access. Current examples from Nature, PLOS and Elsevier, waivers, and free options.
Double-blind peer review, explained
In double-blind peer review neither authors nor reviewers know who the other is. How it differs from single-blind review, and what studies show about bias.
What is open peer review?
Open peer review can mean public reviewer names, published reports or open participation. The seven traits, journals that use them, and where Unjournal sits.