Library Help

'Publisher PDF', also known as as the Version of Record, refers to the published version of an accepted manuscript exactly as it appears in the host journal. It is the final, finished version of the article, inclusive of all peer review revisions, and is in a publisher-enhanced format. These enhancements typically include copyediting and the presence of a DOI, journal logos, and final pagination.

Publishers often do not permit the Publisher PDF to be stored in an institutional repository or made open access, except in instances when an Article Processing Charge has been paid.

To meet HEFCE requirements for the REF, you should upload the postprint version to Pure. The Open Access Team will always check if the Publisher PDF may also be uploaded, and when possible will arrange this on your behalf.

An 'Author Personal Copy', as provided by some publishers, is not equivalent to a Publisher PDF or postprint and should not be uploaded to Pure.

Need more help? Email our team at openaccess@qub.ac.uk or check out our Open Access LibGuide.