Production & Publication FAQ

Production Process

What happens during production?

After acceptance, manuscripts undergo copyediting, typesetting, metadata preparation, accessibility review, and publication processing. Depending on the journal workflow, the author-accepted manuscript may first appear online as a Just Accepted article prior to copyediting and typesetting. Authors are subsequently provided page proofs to review before publication as an Article in Advance.

The production process is intended to improve consistency, readability, discoverability, and conformity with journal style and publishing standards.

What is copyediting?

Copyediting involves review of grammar, punctuation, style, formatting, references, citations, consistency, and clarity. Copyeditors may also identify potential ambiguities, incomplete references, missing citations, or formatting issues requiring author attention.

Copyediting does not alter the scholarly conclusions of the work.

Can I review copyeditor changes?

Yes. Authors review copyeditor changes during the proof stage. In some cases, tracked-copyediting files may also be available upon request.

What changes may be made at proof stage?

Proof review is intended primarily for correction of typographical, formatting, production, or factual errors introduced during preparation of the publication version.

Substantive revisions affecting the scientific content, interpretation, authorship, or conclusions of the manuscript are generally not permitted at proof stage without editorial approval.

Can I make substantive revisions after acceptance?

Substantive changes after acceptance are strongly discouraged and may require additional editorial review or approval by the editor-in-chief.

Major revisions requested after acceptance may delay publication.

Proofs

How do I review page proofs?

The corresponding author receives instructions for reviewing page proofs electronically. INFORMS uses an online proofing system that allows authors to review and correct proofs directly within a web browser, including navigation of author queries, references, equations, figures, and metadata.

Authors may also have the option to annotate and return PDF proofs instead of using the online proofing interface.

Authors should review the proofs carefully for accuracy, completeness, formatting issues, author queries, and production errors.

How do I mark corrections to my page proofs?

Corrections are typically submitted through the online proofing system using browser-based editing and commenting tools. Authors may also have the option to annotate and return PDF proofs or provide an itemized list of corrections identifying each change by page, column, line number, or author query reference.

Authors should follow the specific instructions provided with their proofs.

Do I have to answer every author query?

Yes. Author queries are used to clarify uncertainties, resolve inconsistencies, verify references, confirm permissions, or request missing information.

Failure to respond to queries may delay publication.

What if I need additional time to review proofs?

Authors should contact the production team as soon as possible if additional time is required. Delays in proof return may affect online publication timing or issue scheduling.

How should proofs be returned?

Proofs should be returned according to the instructions provided by the production editor. Authors should return a single consolidated set of corrections whenever possible.

Can coauthors review proofs?

Yes. Corresponding authors may share proofs with coauthors for review. However, the corresponding author remains responsible for coordinating and submitting the final consolidated response.

Will I receive second proofs?

Second proofs are not normally provided except in limited circumstances involving substantial corrections or production issues.

Online Publication

What is Just Accepted?

Just Accepted articles are author-accepted manuscripts that are posted online shortly after acceptance, prior to copyediting and typesetting. These versions allow rapid dissemination of newly accepted research while the article proceeds through production.

See Just Accepted for additional information.

What is Articles in Advance?

Articles in Advance are peer-reviewed, copyedited, typeset, and author-approved articles published online before assignment to a journal issue. These articles are considered formal published versions of record.

See Articles in Advance for additional information.

When will my article be published?

Publication timing depends on production schedules, proof return timing, issue planning, and journal workflows. Articles may appear online prior to issue assignment through Just Accepted or Articles in Advance workflows.

What is considered the version of record?

The version of record is the formally published scholarly version maintained by the publisher. For INFORMS journals, the Articles in Advance publication is considered the version of record.

When is an article assigned to an issue?

Articles are generally assigned to issues in approximate order by acceptance date; however, issue planning may vary depending on editorial considerations such as article type, department or area organization, special issues or sections, and editor-in-chief preferences.

How should I cite a Just Accepted or Articles in Advance article?

Authors should cite the DOI and online publication information provided with the article until volume, issue, and page or article numbering information becomes available.

When will my DOI become active?

DOIs are generally activated upon the article’s first online publication, which may occur through Just Accepted, Articles in Advance, or final issue publication depending on the article type and publication workflow.

How are articles indexed?

Published articles are distributed to indexing and abstracting services according to each service’s ingestion schedules and requirements. See Journal Visibility, Metrics & Rankings for additional information regarding indexing services and journal discoverability.

How can I share my article?

Authors should review Author Posting & Sharing for guidance regarding personal websites, institutional repositories, classroom use, preprints, and other sharing scenarios.

Corrections & Post-Publication Changes

I found an error in my published article. What should I do?

Authors should contact the journal or publications office promptly if a significant error is identified in a published article.

Depending on the nature of the issue, the journal may publish a correction, erratum, or retraction.

See Post-Publication Corrections & Critiques for additional information.

What kinds of corrections require an erratum?

Errors affecting interpretation, discoverability, attribution, or the integrity of the publication record may require a formal erratum.

Minor errors or typographical issues that do not affect understanding may be incorporated into the online version of record directly; such changes will be documented via a Correction notice added to the final page of the article.

Can authors update affiliations after publication?

Author affiliations generally reflect institutional information at the time of acceptance or publication. Changes after publication are handled only in limited circumstances and may require a formal correction notice.

Can acknowledgments be changed after publication?

Changes to acknowledgments after publication are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may require editorial approval or formal correction.

What if a coauthor’s information changes?

Authors should notify the journal promptly regarding significant post-publication changes involving names, affiliations, contact information, or attribution.

What is the difference between a correction, erratum & retraction?

These publication notices serve different purposes depending on the severity and nature of the issue identified. See Post-Publication Corrections & Critiques for additional information.

How are critiques or comments on published articles handled?

INFORMS journals may publish formal critiques, comments, rejoinders, or scholarly discussions regarding previously published work. Such submissions are subject to editorial evaluation and peer review. See Post-Publication Corrections & Critiques for additional information.

Can authors respond to critiques?

Authors are generally given an opportunity to respond to formal critiques or comments, subject to editorial review and journal policy.

Rights, Access & Compliance

Why am I being asked about permission for a figure or table?

Authors are responsible for ensuring they have the right to reuse previously published materials when permission is required. See Originality, Attribution & Copyright for additional information.

Production staff may request documentation confirming permission status before publication.

What rights do authors retain?

Author rights depend on the publication agreement and publication model selected. See Copyright Transfer Agreements, Open Access: INFORMS Open Option, and Author Posting & Sharing for additional information.

May I post my article online?

Permitted sharing activities depend on the article version, publication agreement, and repository location.

Authors should review Author Posting & Sharing for detailed guidance.

How does open access affect reuse rights?

Open access publication models may permit broader reuse and redistribution under applicable license terms. Authors should review the specific license selected for their article. See Open Access: INFORMS Open Option for additional information.

How does INFORMS support funder public access requirements?

INFORMS supports a variety of public access and repository compliance workflows, although authors remain responsible for understanding and complying with funder requirements.

What if my funding agency requires repository deposit?

Authors should review funder policies carefully and coordinate any required repository deposits in accordance with publisher policies and publication agreements.

How do NIH-funded authors comply with public access requirements?

Authors funded by the National Institutes of Health remain responsible for compliance with NIH Public Access requirements. Additional guidance is available from NIH regarding approved submission methods and repository requirements.