version of record
phrasePronunciation: /ˈvɜːrʒən əv ˈrekɔːrd/
Also written as: VoR
The final, definitive version of a published scholarly article that has undergone all editorial processes and represents the authoritative text.
Full Definition
The version of record is the final, published version of a scholarly article that has completed all stages of the editorial and production process, including peer review, copyediting, and typesetting. It represents the authoritative and citable version that is permanently archived and assigned a DOI. This version supersedes all previous drafts, preprints, or provisional versions and serves as the official scholarly record. Publishers are responsible for ensuring the version of record is properly maintained and accessible for long-term preservation.
Plain English
The final, official version of a research paper that has been fully edited and published, which is the one that should be cited and considered the 'real' published article.
In Editorial Context
The completed article that has passed through all editorial stages and represents the publisher's definitive text, requiring careful version control and metadata management to distinguish from earlier drafts.
Etymology & History
Emerged with digital publishing to distinguish final published articles from multiple electronic versions and preprints circulating online.
Originally used in legal contexts, adapted to academic publishing as digital workflows created multiple versions of the same work.
Usage
"Authors must ensure they cite the version of record rather than the preprint when the article has been officially published."
Usage note: Always distinguished from preprints, accepted manuscripts, and author's original manuscripts.
Context: digital publishing, repository management, citation guidelines
Region: international
Also known as
Contrasted with
Don't confuse with
Often confused with accepted manuscript, but version of record includes all publisher formatting and corrections.