Proofreading & Editing Fact-Checking & Accuracy 3

Question 1

A published article contains a factual error that was caught after going live. What is the standard editorial practice?

Accepted Answer

Issue a visible correction notice explaining what was wrong and what the correct information is

Answer

Silently correct the error without acknowledgment

Answer

Remove the entire article from publication

Answer

Add a general disclaimer at the bottom of the page

Question 2

Which of the following scenarios represents a conflict of interest that could compromise fact-checking?

Accepted Answer

A fact-checker assigned to verify claims about a company in which they hold stock

Answer

A fact-checker who has previously worked in a different field

Answer

A fact-checker who is unfamiliar with the article's topic

Answer

A fact-checker working under a tight deadline

Question 3

What is the difference between an 'error of commission' and an 'error of omission' in fact-checking?

Accepted Answer

Commission = stating something false; omission = leaving out information that changes meaning

Answer

Commission = wrong word choice; omission = missing punctuation

Answer

Commission = author's error; omission = editor's error

Answer

Commission = numerical error; omission = spelling error

Question 4

An article states a law 'went into effect in 2019.' The fact-checker finds it was signed in 2019 but did not take effect until 2021. This is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A factual error that must be corrected

Answer

A minor stylistic imprecision

Answer

An acceptable simplification for general audiences

Answer

An editorial judgment call

Question 5

When should a fact-checker consult a subject-matter expert?

Accepted Answer

When the content involves technical or specialized claims that cannot be verified through standard sources

Answer

Only when the topic involves medicine or law

Answer

After the article has been published and questions arise

Answer

Only if the author requests it

Question 6

A fact-checker finds that an article uses the word 'data' as a singular noun ('the data shows'). This is:

Accepted Answer

A usage issue that depends on the publication's style guide

Answer

Always a factual error

Answer

Automatically incorrect in American English

Answer

A grammatical error that must be corrected regardless of style guide

Question 7

Which practice best reduces the risk of introducing new errors during the fact-checking revision process?

Accepted Answer

Tracking all changes and having a second reviewer verify each correction

Answer

Making all corrections in a single editing pass without review

Answer

Relying on spell-check software to catch any new errors

Answer

Sending the revised draft directly to publication without further review