Best practices for authors to minimize queries at the post-acceptance copyediting stage

The process of post-acceptance copyediting is a crucial step in ensuring the quality and accuracy of a manuscript before it is published. Since this is the final step before publication, copyeditors are extremely careful and may wish to query authors about potential discrepancies, seek clarifications for any unclear portions from authors, or ask them to check if a certain copyediting change reflects what the authors wanted to convey. Authors play a significant role in facilitating this process and can help minimize queries from copyeditors by adopting certain best practices. Here are a few effective strategies to avoid some of the most common queries during copyediting:  

1. Provide editable tables: One common issue during copyediting is the difficulty in making changes to tables that are submitted as images or non-editable formats. To minimize queries, authors should provide editable tables in formats such as Excel or Word, allowing copyeditors to make necessary modifications directly. This will also reduce the potential for misinterpretation or errors.
2. Provide clear and high-quality images: Authors should ensure that all figures, diagrams, and illustrations submitted are of high quality and clarity. Images should be in a common format such as JPEG, PNG, or TIFF and should meet the resolution requirements specified by the journal. Providing clear and legible images will let copyeditors accurately interpret them.
3. Expand abbreviations: Any non-standard abbreviations should be clearly spelt out. This helps copyeditors understand the intended meaning and context, reducing the likelihood of queries or confusion. Authors should consult established abbreviations lists, such as those provided by the International System of Units (SI) or other relevant organizations, to ensure clarity and consistency.
4. Ensure that your references and citations are accurate: Accurate references and citations are vital for the integrity and credibility of a manuscript. Authors should double-check all references and citations, ensuring they are relevant, accurate, and complete. This will help minimize queries from copyeditors, and they can focus on formatting them.
5. Ensure data accuracy: To ensure the integrity and reliability of a manuscript, authors should diligently double-check all data, including statistics, percentages, calculations, and numerical values. This practice helps minimize errors, inconsistencies, and queries during the copyediting process.
6. Provide accurate author Information: Providing clear and accurate author information, including names, affiliations, and contact details, is crucial for proper identification and attribution.

By following these best practices, authors can contribute to a smooth and efficient copyediting process, thereby letting copyeditors focus on formatting per the required style guides.