2021 Internet as editing tool for non-English speaking researchers.docx
Purpose
This paper shows the use of free web-based technology to improve English writing in academic manuscripts. This study can be used by non-native English-speaking scientists to translate their manuscripts into English removing the language barrier in publishing their scientific studies.
Design/methodology/approach
An internet application of free online tools was performed. Native speakers in Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, and Chinese used eight online tools to translate technical phrases into English and evaluate the results. We used five online editing tools, and ten plagiarism checkers. Feedback from peers was studied from Academia.edu, Authorea, and reviewing/feedback groups.
Findings
Grammarly produced better results between free online editing tools. The application of several editing tools is recommended because they give different suggestions. The best translating tools were DeepL for Spanish to English, Reverso for Portuguese to English, Yandex and Google for Russian to English, and Google for Chinese to English. Plagiarism checkers were not reproducible.
Research limitations
Limitations were imposed by some subscription-only sites. However, because this research aims to help researchers in low-income countries improve their manuscripts by using free online websites, this limitation was not important.
Social implications
We aim at helping non-native English-speaking scientists and students wishing to translate their manuscripts into English and improve their writing, eliminating the language barrier in the publication.
Originality/value
Not enough information is found in the scientific literature on the use of free tools to improve the presentation of scientific manuscripts.
