In
science, the quality of writing has a large, practical significance. Well-written
and carefully edited scientific papers will tend to fare better in any process
involving scholarly review. In a
job application, writing quality can help to determine whether a selection
committee invites the applicant to an interview. Writing quality can help to determine whether a grant review panel
recommends a proposal for funding. The strength of writing can determine
whether a submission to a peer-reviewed, scholarly journal is accepted outright, accepted with minor revision,
accepted with major revision, or rejected outright. Reviewers of journals with a high impact factor are almost certain to
take into account writing quality; a poorly-written draft is unlikely to
receive full consideration. The editors and reviewers of most journals are primarily
responsible for evaluating the novelty
and significance of the research reported in the manuscript. Style,
grammar, formatting, spelling, and punctuation are the responsibility of the authors. Even
the most scrupulous reviewer tends to be inclined favorably towards articles
that have been reviewed, critiqued, and revised thoroughly before submission.
Revision
of scientific journal articles by a
professional editor has many advantages. Scientific editing is time-consuming and time is
the single most precious resource available to a professional. A scientific editor who
has not been directly involved in the research project often can improve the quality of a
document more quickly and easily than the authors. Outsourcing the
tasks of writing and editing makes time and energy available for project management,
mentoring, securing additional funding, or perhaps even a personal life.
Careful editing allows peer reviewers
to focus on the substance of the research
without the distraction of errors of style.
Manuscript Editor Online provides English-language scientific editing and writing services for academics, researchers,
health care professionals, members of the pharmaceutical industry, and
scientists worldwide. Editing research articles submitted to peer-reviewed
scientific journals is a specialty but prepublication assistance also is available
for a variety of documents including review articles, book chapters, monographs,
technical reports, grant proposals, clinical summaries, IRB documents, protocols,
abstracts, manuals, protocols, bulletins, circulars, newsletters, conference
proceedings, award nominations, curriculum vitae, poster and slide
presentations, and cover letters.
The sole proprietor of Manuscript Editor Online is Dr. James A. Duthie. After 30 years in academia, Jim has turned to scientific editing and writing full time. Jim has extensive experience in scientific communications. He has served as an ad hoc reviewer for more than a dozen scientific journals, for six years as associate editor on the editorial boards of two international biology journals, and as a member of grant review panels for federal and state grants programs. He has authored or co-authored 22 refereed scientific journal articles and 23 full-length federal grants with a value of over $2,000,000.
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