So is it 1 column or 3 columns that I have to write my paper in?The journals have typesetters (or at least typesetting software) for formatting your paper according to the journal standards.
As an author, your job is to adhere to the submission guidelines. That puts the manuscript in the format that the typesetters want for producing the final paper.
You should check the submission guidelines as suggested in #2.So is it 1 column or 3 columns that I have to write my paper in?
Your PF Profile page says that you are currently in Undergrad. Are you part of some research group at your university?So is it 1 column or 3 columns that I have to write my paper in?
Ah sorry I am doing my PhD now (forgot to update that) and yes I am part of a research group. We haven't submitted to Science before and I am a bit confused about the actual format to submit the paper.Your PF Profile page says that you are currently in Undergrad. Are you part of some research group at your university?
Thank you so much!Sorry, I can't help with formatting from lack of experience. Just wanted to say congrats on getting a result!
What exactly did you say? Submitter writes according to some instructions the journal expects and the journal has an automatic way to typeset the necessary columns?The instructions are pretty clear I think. Use their template and don’t do anything fancy to it (or, preferably, write in Word - Science says this, not me). If the template gives you single column, submit that. As has already been stated, it is the job of the journal’s typesetters to typeset what goes into the journal and up to you to follow the manuscript preparation guidelines so they get input in the format they require. Your supervisor should have been able to tell you this.
No. Submitter prepares the manuscript according to the instructions of the journal. Then (if the manuscript is accepted) it is the job of the typesetters working at the journal to set it in the format the journal uses for published material.What exactly did you say? Submitter writes according to some instructions the journal expects and the journal has an automatic way to typeset the necessary columns?
What did that mean? The author follows instructions without typesetting into columns and then if accepted, somebody at the journal or some automatic system typesets the article into columns?No. Submitter prepares the manuscript according to the instructions of the journal. Then (if the manuscript is accepted) it is the job of the typesetters working at the journal to set it in the format the journal uses for published material.
Yes. It is generally not the author's job to typeset the article in the publication style (unless the submission guidelines says it is).What did that mean? The author follows instructions without typesetting into columns and then if accepted, somebody at the journal or some automatic system typesets the article into columns?
My difficulty is confusing style with typesetting. Now these are beginning to feel more distinct.Yes. It is generally not the author's job to typeset the article in the publication style (unless the submission guidelines says it is).