The examples of inaccuracy cited include a few of the worst among some 150
editing errors in the sample of 290 stories. We now tum to identify what are
the patterns in these inaccuracies (step 4ofthe methodology). What kinds of
stories are poorly edited? Do any social or political factors seem to promote
inaccurate editing? What sorts of semantic effects do editing changes have?
Why do editors make inaccurate changes?