Ahead of Print Publication
nounPronunciation: /əˈhɛd əv ˈprɪnt ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃən/
The online release of an article prior to its inclusion in a formally numbered journal issue, typically including a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) and citation information. This accelerates dissemination of research while maintaining formal peer review standards.
Plain English
Publishing an article online before it appears in the official journal issue.
Etymology & History
Usage
"The study was released as an ahead of print publication while the issue was still in production."
Style guide notes: Use 'ahead of print' or 'online early' consistently; hyphenate when used as adjective.
Also known as
Contrasted with
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ahead of print publication citable?
Yes; it includes DOI and article numbers, making it fully citable for research purposes.
How long until ahead of print articles appear in an issue?
Timeline varies by journal; typically weeks to months depending on issue completion.
Why Test Candidates on This?
Important for understanding modern publication timelines and citation practices in digital publishing.
Required skill level: Junior