Editing is about a lot more than typos. Strong arguments can be made that unless an editor (or proofreader) has final say (and special subject knowledge), they cannot be held responsible for accuracy. Still, flagging accuracy concerns IS an editor’s responsibility, according to dozens of professional standards worldwide.
Here’s what those standards say about checking and flagging accuracy:
CMOS
Chicago Manual of Style 18
2: Manuscript Preparation, Manuscript Editing, and Proofreading
2.57: Editorial discretion — … suggest tactfully that … an assertion might not be accurate. …
2.62: Fact-checking — … obvious errors, including errors in mathematical calculations, should always be pointed out to the author, and questionable proper names, bibliographic references, and the like should be checked and any apparent irregularities queried. … fact-checking should be limited to what is needed to form an effective and judicious query to the author …
2.63: Editing front matter — … review any credits and other elements for accuracy …
IPEd
The Institute of Professional Editors Limited (IPEd) is the professional association for Australian and New Zealand editors.
A6.4 Accuracy in content transfer. Includes identifying typical errors that may arise with scanned material, text derived from voice-recognition software, material transferred from word-processing software to formatting software and material copied from websites into word-processing software.
C2.4 Relevant, logically graded and consistent headings and other labelling devices appropriate to the publication and medium, and accurately reflecting the content to which they apply. Includes menus, buttons, electronic links, margin notes, headers and footers.
E1.2 Accuracy of cross-references, citations and links:
- within the text
- between the text and illustrations and tables
- between the contents page and the headings, text and page numbers
- between the lists of illustrations and tables in the preliminary matter and the illustrations and tables.
E2.5 Referencing that is consistent, accurate and complete. Includes acknowledgements, citations, bibliography, list of references, endnotes, footnotes, margin notes, cross-references, URLs (website addresses), glossary and index.
CIEP
The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) operates in the United Kingdom.
5.4.5 Accuracy and consistency of content — Raise questions of any factual inaccuracy noticed and of any internal inconsistency regarding names, dates, events, people, places and references to visual elements. Refer these to the client or author as appropriate.
6.2.1 a) Evaluation Inspect — the received materials (hard copy and/or electronic typescript) to determine whether they are complete and conform to the contract and synopsis or to the client’s stated requirements in all respects, including adequately addressing the subject, clear structure, accuracy and readability.
6.3.1 a) Evaluation — Evaluate the content supplied in terms of the client’s requirements – for adequately addressing the subject, for clear structure and for accuracy and usability. Bear in mind the range of users who will be accessing the site and identify any age, language, cultural or other barriers – such as physical or learning disability – to understanding and accessibility.
EC
A13.1 [all/fundamentals] Make all changes without altering the intended meaning or introducing errors, such as errors in fact, style or formatting.
B2.2 [structural/dev] Recognize and either query or resolve instances of questionable accuracy (e.g., anachronisms in fiction), inadequate research, imbalanced content and lack of focus.
B2.6 Prepare or secure accurate and complete supplemental material (e.g., audio and video, pop-ups, mastheads, front and back matter).
D. Copy editing is reviewing material to ensure correct and consistent grammar, punctuation, spelling and usage. It often includes checking that the required elements of the content are accurate and complete.
A professional copy editor meets the Standards in Part A: The Fundamentals of Editing and meets the following Standards.”
D3 Accuracy
D3.1 Correct or query general information that should be checked for accuracy (e.g., quotations, URLs) using standard research methods and tools (e.g., dictionaries, maps, calculators, search engines).
D3.2 Review visual material (e.g., labels, cross-references, callouts on illustrations) and organizational information (e.g., tables of contents, menus and links in online documents) to ensure they are accurate, and correct or query as required.
D3.3 Correct or query errors in material containing statistics, mathematics and numerals (e.g., calculations, incorrect imperial or metric conversions, incorrect totals in tables).
D3.4 Identify and query any spelling or grammar errors within quotations to ascertain whether they were errors in the original text.
E2.1 [proofreading] Query, or correct if authorized to do so, inconsistencies and errors (e.g., in spelling, punctuation, facts, visual elements, navigation elements, metadata). Use judgment about the degree to which such queries and corrections are called for (e.g., different browsers format text differently, so there is no point in marking hard word breaks or table column measures in web content).
E2.4 Check consistency and accuracy of elements in the material (e.g., cross-references, running heads, captions, web page title tags, links, metadata).
There are dozens more standards that go beyond typos. Check out this series!
Arrows in target image by 3D Animation Production Company used with permission from Pixabay.
