Proofreading Policy and Protocol (Anhui Medical Journal , Trial Version)

This policy establishes the standard proofreading protocol for Anhui Medical Journal to ensure the accuracy, quality, and integrity of all published content. It aims to standardize workflows and clarify responsibilities, delivering a reliable and authoritative academic resources to our readers.

I. Guiding Principles

1.      Compliance: All proofreading activities must abide by national laws, regulations, and established publishing standards.

2.      Accuracy and Diligence: All personnel involved must exercise the highest level of diligence and accountability to eliminate omissions and errors.

II. The Multi-Stage Proofreading Workflow

1.      Stage 1. Author Proofreading: All authors read the full text and sign confirmation.

2.      Stage 2. First Proof (Manuscript Editor): Conducted by the manuscript’s assigned editor.

3.      Stage 3. Second Proof (Cross-Check): Conducted by a different editor uninvolved in the initial editing.

4.      Stage 4. Final Proof (Issue Editor): Conducted by the issue’s lead editor or editorial director for full-volume inspection.

5.      Stage 5. Software-Assisted Check: Full-volume machine proofreading after final layout.

III. General Requirements

1.      Process Adherence: Complete all proofreading steps thoroughly and sequentially.

2.      Accountability: All proofreaders take full responsibility for the accuracy of their inspection results.

IV. Key Tasks at Each Proofreading Stage

1.      First Proof: Perform a comprehensive read-through to correct errors in language, grammar, and scientific content; standardize measurement units, charts, numerical values, punctuation and statistical descriptions; check layout errors and reference formatting; transcribe author proof corrections; align the Chinese and English abstracts (titles, author list, affiliations, and funding information).

2.      Second Proof: Scan the full text to identify and correct improper line breaks (e.g., for numbers, symbols or titles); verify that all corrections from the First Proof have been implemented correctly (“red-line” verification); address any layout issues, such as filling empty spaces (“white-space” management).

3.      Final Proof: Conduct a final check of page flow and ensure no text is missing at page breaks; verify volume/issue numbers (marking “End of Volume” for the 12^th issue) and barcode; confirm year, volume, issue, page numbers, and listed editors are correct and match the main content; cross-check that running heads match the corresponding article titles; ensure sequential chart numbering and text-chart consistency; verify the hierarchy and numbering of section titles; adjust reference sequence after deletions.

V. Detailed Proofreading Categories

1.      Textual Accuracy: Verify accuracy of characters, punctuation and symbols.

2.      Grammar Correctness: Review sentence structure for fluency and standardized expression.

3.      Logical Consistency: Examine structural logic and consistency of research arguments.

4.      Figure and Table Integrity: Cross-check chart data, units and symbols against main text content.

5.      Citation Verification: Confirm accurate references, real cited literature and standardized citation format.

6.      Layout and Typesetting: Inspect font, font size, line spacing and paragraph spacing compliance with journal layout rules.