Eligibility

Posting a manuscript on a recognized preprint server does not, by itself, prevent consideration by HNCBT. A preprint must be disclosed in the cover letter and submission metadata, with its identifier, URL, posting date and relevant version. The journal assesses the submitted manuscript on its scientific and ethical merits.

Versions and related work

Identify substantive differences between the submitted manuscript and the posted version, especially changes to data, analyses or conclusions. Disclose related manuscripts and publications using the same data. A preprint policy does not permit duplicate journal publication or concurrent submission to multiple journals.

Authors should make clear that a preprint has not completed journal peer review. Statements about patient care or therapeutic effectiveness must be proportionate to the evidence and should not suggest that journal submission validates a clinical claim.

Double-anonymous review

Preprints may make author identities discoverable. The journal nevertheless uses its double-anonymous review procedures and asks reviewers to assess the work fairly, without seeking identities solely to influence the assessment. Provide a properly anonymized review manuscript and report the preprint details separately to the editor.

After publication

Update the preprint record with the journal citation and a link to the published version where the server permits. Distinguish versions and avoid presenting the preprint as the final version of record. If a correction or retraction affects the findings, update connected records where possible. Authors may share the published article under CC BY 4.0.