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Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 98 views

As a Reviewer, Can I Insist that Authors Include Line Numbers for Each Incorporated Requested Change?

Understanding the Role of a Reviewer in Peer Review

As a reviewer in the second round of review for a manuscript in the Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (JABE), you have played a crucial role in shaping the manuscript into its current form. Your feedback and suggestions have been incorporated by the authors, and now, you are reviewing the revised manuscript to ensure that the authors have addressed all your concerns. However, as you delve deeper into the manuscript, you may find it challenging to identify the specific changes made by the authors in response to your requests.

The Importance of Line Numbers in Manuscript Revisions

Line numbers are a crucial aspect of manuscript revisions, especially when authors are responding to reviewer comments. By including line numbers, authors can clearly indicate the specific changes made to the manuscript, making it easier for reviewers to track and evaluate the revisions. This is particularly important in the second round of review, where reviewers need to assess whether the authors have adequately addressed their concerns.

Can You Insist that Authors Include Line Numbers?

As a reviewer, you have the right to request that authors include line numbers for each incorporated requested change. In fact, many journals, including JABE, recommend that authors provide line numbers to facilitate the review process. By including line numbers, authors can demonstrate their commitment to transparency and accountability, which are essential values in academic publishing.

Why Authors May Not Include Line Numbers

Despite the importance of line numbers, authors may not include them in their revised manuscript. There are several reasons for this:

Lack of awareness: Authors may not be aware of the importance of line numbers or may not understand the review process.
Technical difficulties: Authors may face technical difficulties in inserting line numbers, especially if they are using a word processing software that does not support this feature.
Time constraints: Authors may be under time pressure to submit their revised manuscript, and inserting line numbers may be seen as an additional burden.

How to Request Line Numbers from Authors

If you find that the authors have not included line numbers in their revised manuscript, you can request them to do so. Here are some tips to help you make this request:

Be polite and professional: When requesting line numbers, be polite and professional in your communication with the authors.
Explain the importance of line numbers: Explain to the authors why line numbers are essential in the review process and how they can facilitate the evaluation of their revisions.
Provide guidance on how to insert line numbers: If the authors are facing technical difficulties, provide guidance on how to insert line numbers using their word processing software.

Best Practices for Including Line Numbers

If you are an author who is revising a manuscript in response to reviewer comments, here are some best practices to follow:

Use a word processing software that supports line numbers: Choose a word processing software that allows you to insert line numbers easily.
Insert line numbers consistently: Insert line numbers consistently throughout the manuscript to avoid confusion.
Use a clear and concise format: Use a clear and concise format to indicate the changes made to the manuscript, including the line numbers.

Conclusion

As a reviewer, you have the right to request that authors include line numbers for each incorporated requested change. By including line numbers, authors can demonstrate their commitment to transparency and accountability, which are essential values in academic publishing. If you find that the authors have not included line numbers in their revised manuscript, you can request them to do so. By following the best practices outlined in this article, you can ensure that the review process is facilitated and that the manuscript is evaluated fairly and efficiently.

Recommendations for Journals

Journals can play a crucial role in promoting the use of line numbers in manuscript revisions. Here are some recommendations for journals:

Include line numbers in the journal's guidelines: Include line numbers in the journal's guidelines for authors to ensure that they are aware of the importance of line numbers.
Provide guidance on how to insert line numbers: Provide guidance on how to insert line numbers using word processing software to facilitate the process.
Encourage authors to use line numbers: Encourage authors to use line numbers in their revised manuscripts to promote transparency and accountability.

Future Directions

The use of line numbers in manuscript revisions is an essential aspect of the review process. As the academic publishing landscape continues to evolve, it is essential to promote the use of line numbers to facilitate the evaluation of manuscripts. By following the best practices outlined in this article, authors and reviewers can work together to ensure that the review process is efficient and effective.

References

[1] Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (JABE). (2022). Author Guidelines.
[2] American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.
[3] Council of Science Editors. (2017). Scientific Style and Format: The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers.

Appendix

Example of a manuscript with line numbers: [Insert example of a manuscript with line numbers]
Example of a manuscript without line numbers: [Insert example of a manuscript without line numbers]

Table of Contents

As a Reviewer, Can I Insist that Authors Include Line Numbers for Each Incorporated Requested Change?
Understanding the Role of a Reviewer in Peer Review
The Importance of Line Numbers in Manuscript Revisions
Can You Insist that Authors Include Line Numbers?
Why Authors May Not Include Line Numbers
How to Request Line Numbers from Authors
Best Practices for Including Line Numbers
Conclusion
Recommendations for Journals
Future Directions
References
Appendix
Q&A: As a Reviewer, Can I Insist that Authors Include Line Numbers for Each Incorporated Requested Change?

Frequently Asked Questions

As a reviewer, you may have questions about requesting line numbers from authors. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to help you navigate the process.

Q: What is the purpose of line numbers in manuscript revisions?

A: Line numbers are used to indicate the specific changes made to a manuscript in response to reviewer comments. This helps reviewers track and evaluate the revisions, ensuring that the manuscript is thoroughly reviewed and improved.

Q: Can I request line numbers from authors if they are not included in the revised manuscript?

A: Yes, you can request line numbers from authors if they are not included in the revised manuscript. As a reviewer, you have the right to request that authors provide line numbers to facilitate the review process.

Q: How do I request line numbers from authors?

A: You can request line numbers from authors by politely and professionally communicating with them. Explain the importance of line numbers in the review process and provide guidance on how to insert line numbers using their word processing software.

Q: Why do authors sometimes not include line numbers in their revised manuscripts?

A: Authors may not include line numbers due to a lack of awareness, technical difficulties, or time constraints. However, as a reviewer, you can request that authors provide line numbers to facilitate the review process.

Q: What are the benefits of including line numbers in manuscript revisions?

A: Including line numbers in manuscript revisions has several benefits, including:

Facilitating the review process by allowing reviewers to track and evaluate revisions
Promoting transparency and accountability in the review process
Ensuring that authors have thoroughly addressed reviewer comments
Improving the overall quality of the manuscript

Q: How can I ensure that authors include line numbers in their revised manuscripts?

A: To ensure that authors include line numbers in their revised manuscripts, you can:

Include line numbers in the journal's guidelines for authors
Provide guidance on how to insert line numbers using word processing software
Encourage authors to use line numbers in their revised manuscripts

Q: What are the consequences of not including line numbers in manuscript revisions?

A: Not including line numbers in manuscript revisions can lead to:

Delays in the review process due to confusion and difficulty in tracking revisions
Inadequate evaluation of the manuscript, leading to potential errors or omissions
Decreased transparency and accountability in the review process

Q: Can I request line numbers from authors if they are using a specific word processing software?

A: Yes, you can request line numbers from authors even if they are using a specific word processing software. Many word processing software programs, such as Microsoft Word, allow users to insert line numbers easily.

Q: How can I request line numbers from authors if they are not responding to my requests?

A: If authors are not responding to your requests for line numbers, you can:

Politely and professionally reiterate your request
Explain the importance of line numbers in the review process
Consider escalating the issue to the journal editor or other relevant authorities

Q: What are the best practices for including line numbers in manuscript revisions?

A: The best practices for including line numbers in manuscript revisions include:

Using a word processing software that supports line numbers
Inserting line numbers consistently throughout the manuscript
Using a clear and concise format to indicate the changes made to the manuscript