Author's version vs. publisher's version: an analysis of the copy‐editing function

This report describes an informal study carried out by Blackwell Publishing to assess whether the copy‐editing and proof‐correction process alone results in a significant difference between the author's version and the publisher's version of an article accepted for publication. One hundred and eighty‐nine articles were reviewed from 23 journals. The results indicate that a substantial number of changes are made. It is suggested that copy‐editing has an equal role to play in both the printed and online environments, and that in the latter it contributes substantially to the accuracy of the electronic version. Copy‐editing is therefore an important function within the publisher's overall responsibility towards the integrity of the article of record.