Examination for Korea Manuscript Editor Certification

Korean Council of Science Editors introduced Korea Manuscript Editor Certification (KMEC) system for the first time in Korea this year and conducted the first qualification test on November 19.

Manuscript editor qualification system has already been established in the overseas academic environment. Aa number of authoritative institutions or editors’ associations including Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS), American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) and Council of Science Editors (CSE) issue certification to a manuscript editor with appropriate qualifications. The format and system of journals have become important evaluation indicators in the domestic scientific journals’ process of becoming international journals and accordingly, activity of manuscript editor has increased rapidly along with the great interest in editing manuscripts in the field of scientific journals. However, since there are no clear standards for the role and qualification of the manuscript editor, the need for establishing these standards and for proper training has been constantly raised.

Korean Council of Science Editors conducted a policy demand and feasibility study project through a basic study for qualifications implementation in 2015. By developing a manuscript editor certification system that is suitable for the current status of domestic journals based on the results, it organized examination preparation and management committee and held a qualification examination.

Regarding the exam, held at Hallym Hall, Hallym University of Graduate Studies on November 19, despite that fact that it was the first exam and high qualification for examination, it had a total of 50 applicants including editors of various journals, academic staff, and professional manuscript editors and thus, high demand for scientific academic editing was found. This two-and-a-half-hour test had questions about the basic knowledge that a manuscript editor should know such as understanding of manuscript editing and scientific papers, publishing ethics and copyright, publishing technology and terminology, database and citation index, and basic Korean/English correction ability. Accordingly, it tested whether the person has the core competency to edit manuscripts suitable for domestic academic environment.

The manuscript editors who emanate from this test which will be held each year will be recognized for their competencies in scientific publishing. In addition, they will further strengthen their expertise by continuously receiving various education at home and abroad and recent trends related to manuscript editing or opinions from Korean Council of Science Editors and actively exchanging useful information. Establishment of the qualification system of manuscript editor is an opportunity for domestic scientific journals to stand side by side with international journals ultimately by broadening the base of academic publishing and editing through the establishment of the qualification system.