Yes, one could define broader notions of “formatting”, in which case the cost would be higher. They use a narrower notion.
For the purpose of this work, formatting was defined as total time related to formatting the body of the manuscript, figures, tables, supplementary files, and references. Respondents were asked not to count time spent on statistical analysis, writing, or editing.
The authors think that there are straightforward reforms which could reduce the time spent on formatting, in this narrow sense.
[I]t is hoped that a growing number of journals will recommend no strict formatting guidelines, at least at first submission but preferably until acceptance, to alleviate the unnecessary burden on scientists. In 2012, Elsevier initiated a process like this in the journal Free Radical Biology & Medicine with “Your Paper, Your Way”, a simplified submission process with no strict formatting requirements until the paper has been accepted for publication.
It may be more difficult to get acceptance for more far-reaching reforms.
Yes, one could define broader notions of “formatting”, in which case the cost would be higher. They use a narrower notion.
The authors think that there are straightforward reforms which could reduce the time spent on formatting, in this narrow sense.
It may be more difficult to get acceptance for more far-reaching reforms.