Proofreading Policy

1. Language Standards

BAJ publishes in English. Manuscripts must be written in clear, correct, and academic English so that reviewers can evaluate the scientific content. Authors are responsible for the language quality of their manuscripts.

  • Manuscripts with poor English that prevents proper evaluation will be returned to the authors before review.
  • Authors who are not native speakers are strongly advised to have their manuscript checked by a professional English editing service, or by a colleague fluent in academic English, before submission.
  • After acceptance, the editor may require authors to submit a proofreading certificate from a professional language editing service. The choice of service is up to the authors; BAJ does not require or endorse any particular provider, and the use of such services does not guarantee acceptance.
  • Machine translation and AI-assisted language editing must be checked carefully by the authors, and substantive AI use must be declared in the AI Declaration.

2. Copyediting by the Journal

Accepted manuscripts are copyedited by the journal for consistency with the BAJ style (headings, tables, figures, references, and terminology). Copyeditors do not change the scientific meaning of the text. Questions from the copyeditor are sent to the corresponding author, who must respond within the given deadline.

3. Galley Proofs

  • Before publication, the corresponding author receives the galley proof (final layout in PDF) through OJS.
  • Authors must check the proof carefully — author names, affiliations, title, abstract, tables, figures, equations, and references — and return corrections within three (3) working days.
  • Only corrections of typographical errors and factual mistakes are allowed at this stage. Substantial changes to content, new data, or changes in authorship are not permitted.
  • If no response is received within the deadline, the editors may proceed with publication using the proof as it stands.

4. After Publication

Once an article is published, it cannot be changed. Errors found after publication are corrected only through a formal correction notice (Erratum/Corrigendum), in accordance with the Corrections, Withdrawal, and Retraction Policy.