As with all other novel research and ideas, preprints and other interim research projects must be cited. The NIH provides their requirements both for where they require citation of interim projects, and how to do so.
NIH requirements for interim citation format is as follows:
To cite the product, applicants and awardees must include the Digital Object Identifier and the Object type (e.g. preprint, protocol) in the citation. Also list any information about the document version (e.g. most recent date modified), and if relevant, the date the product was cited.
Example: Bar DZ, Atkatsh K, Tavarez U, Erdos MR, Gruenbaum Y, Collins FS. Biotinylation by antibody recognition- A novel method for proximity labeling. BioRxiv 069187 [Preprint]. August 11, 2016 [cited 2017 Jan 12]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1101/069187.
These requirements help reviewers understand that the product is public, interim, and identify the specific version is being referenced.
(source: Reporting Preprints and Other Interim Research Products)
