This document outlines 10 common errors to look for when editing a scientific manuscript: 1) spelling mistakes, 2) long sentences, 3) small text on graphs, 4) unclear group names, 5) improperly formatted tables, 6) inconsistent number of decimal places, 7) vague references to other sections, 8) undefined abbreviations, 9) incorrect units, and 10) lack of consistency. Addressing these errors through scientific editing makes the writing more professional and improves readability.

1. 10 Common Errors you
should Look for while
Editing your Scientific
Manuscript

2. Writing, whether scientific or otherwise, can’t be
devoid of errors. However expert you may be, you
tend to make mistakes while writing your document.
And that’s why scientific editing becomes necessary.
Like every process, scientific editing too has a
strategy: A strategy on what errors to look for
while editing the scientific manuscript.
Scientific Manuscript Editing

3. Here are the 10 common errors you
should look for while editing your
scientific document.

4. 1) Check for spelling mistakes
You may be a language pro, yet it is surprising to
find many spelling mistakes in your manuscript.
To make your work easier:
Use the spell check feature of the Word file and
make sure it is applied to all of the text in the file.
Choose the correct language for your
manuscript (US/UK English) before you begin
writing.

5. 2) Length of your sentences
Long sentences that continue to ramble
and keep talking frustrate the readers. They
get bored, confused, and just quit.
In such a case, your written message
won’t be communicated effectively or
understood by the person reading the page.

6. 3) Check the text on the graphs
Many manuscripts contain graphs with a
tiny text. When you are not able to read it
clearly, how will the readers? And they will
receive a printed copy of your manuscript.
Nobody wants to use a lens to read the text.
So, make sure the headings and other text on
the graphs are big enough to read with a
normal eye.

7. 4) The names of the group
When you name your groups and
treatments, keep them as close to the
original treatments as possible without using
abbreviations.
This makes it easier for the readers who
don’t have to “translate” your results and
figures.

8. 5) The size, text, and alignment of the table
This gets easier if you use the Table feature of
your Words file rather than laying out the text
using space bar.
6) Number of values after the decimal point
If you measure all the values to the same level
of accuracy, report them as 42.35 m, 46.90 m
and 22.00 m instead of 42.35 m, 46.9 m, and
22 m respectively.

9. 7) References to other sections of the paper
Provide the specific location, section number,
or page/line number while referring to the other
sections of your paper.
8) All abbreviations are well defined
In general, you should define all the
abbreviations at first use in the abstract and the
main paper even if they are standard
abbreviations.

10. 9) Format of the units
Units are always written in the singular form,
for example, mL, cm, mM (not mLs, cms,
mMs).
10) Consistency
Be it the language, spellings, or values, it’s
important to be consistent in their use.
Scientific editing of your manuscript ensures
you have maintained this consistency.

11. These all seem like minor errors which
won’t affect the meaning of the text. In fact,
many readers won’t even notice them.
However, if you check for these errors in
your scientific paper editing, it will make
your writing more professional, and the
readers will enjoy your manuscript.

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