CCE Fact-Checking and References Questions and Answers

Question 1

A copyeditor is reviewing a manuscript for a trade history book. The author states, 'The treaty was signed on July 4, 1776, by all 56 delegates.' While the date is correct for the Declaration of Independence, the copyeditor suspects the detail about the signing is inaccurate. According to professional copyediting standards, what is the most appropriate first step?

Accepted Answer

Query the author, citing a reliable source that indicates the signing process occurred over several months, and suggest a revision.

Answer

The primary responsibility of the copyeditor is to flag potential inaccuracies for the author. While copyeditors are encouraged to check questionable facts, the ultimate responsibility for content accuracy lies with the author. The best practice is to perform a quick check using reliable sources, and then formulate a polite and informative query for the author, suggesting a correction based on the findings. This approach respects the author's authority while ensuring the text's credibility. Deleting information without consultation or relying on a single source for a definitive correction is not advisable.

Question 2

When fact-checking the spelling of a proper name, such as a company or an institution, what is generally considered the most authoritative source?

Accepted Answer

The organization's official website.

Answer

The most authoritative source for the official name and spelling of an organization, program, or institution is its own official website. While news articles or encyclopedias can be helpful, they can also contain errors or use shortened/colloquial versions of a name. The Chicago Manual of Style specifically advises checking the entity's own online presence for the most accurate information.

Question 3

Which of the following factual details in a manuscript warrants the HIGHEST priority for a copyeditor to verify?

Accepted Answer

A direct quotation attributed to a living person.

Answer

Facts that, if wrong, could have legal repercussions or cause significant public embarrassment should be prioritized. Misquoting a living person can lead to accusations of libel or misrepresentation, making it the highest-priority item to verify. While other facts should also be checked for general accuracy, an incorrect quotation carries the most immediate and serious potential consequences.

Question 4

A copyeditor encounters a statistic in a nonfiction manuscript: 'A recent study by the Smith Institute found that 58% of adults prefer coffee over tea.' The author has not provided a citation. What is the copyeditor's most responsible course of action?

Accepted Answer

Accept the statistic as fact, assuming the author has done the necessary research.

Answer

Copyeditors should query authors about any questionable or unsourced information, especially specific data like statistics. The first step is to perform a reasonable search to locate the source. If the source cannot be readily found, the editor must ask the author to provide it. Altering the data without confirmation or deleting the author's content without discussion are both inappropriate actions. The author is responsible for providing sources for their claims.

Question 5

When evaluating the reliability of a web-based source for fact-checking, which of the following is the LEAST important criterion?

Accepted Answer

The website's visual design and use of high-quality graphics.

Answer

When evaluating a source's credibility, key criteria include the author's authority, the accuracy of the information (verifiable elsewhere), the objectivity or purpose of the site, and the currency of the information. A website's aesthetic design, while potentially making it more pleasant to read, has no bearing on the factual reliability of its content. A well-designed website can still contain misinformation.

CCE - Certified Copyeditor Practice Test

CCE - Certified Copyeditor Practice Test

CCE Fact-Checking and References Questions and Answers