Are you a Master’s or PhD student looking for an editor for your thesis?
I have considerable experience in copyediting research theses and journal articles, and I edit theses according to the Guidelines for editing research theses.
from Surgical Nursing and After-Treatment. A Handbook for Nurses and Others (8th edn.), by H. G. Rutherford Darling, 1944 (London, J. & A. Churchill Ltd.), p. 173.
Here are some tips to note before you have your thesis edited:
Before you engage an editor, make sure you have your supervisor’s permission to do so and that they affirm your choice of editor. Some tertiary institutions have a list of preferred editors.
The editor you engage does not have to be an expert in your field of research. I will tell you honestly if I do not think I can edit your thesis responsibly. Factual accuracy is up to you. An editor should not interfere with the content. An editor will, however, question things like inconsistent spelling or referencing.
Remember that when you engage an editor, you should always send your editor the link to the style guide used by your research institution.
It is advisable to find an editor some time before the final stage of your thesis. Freelance editors need to plan ahead and may have more than one project on the go at any one time. Last-minute searches for editors narrow your chances of finding the person you need. They also mean more stress for you – and for the editor you choose. Remember you will need time to answer any queries the editor may pose.
If your editor sends back your manuscript with Track Changes (in Word), never simply accept all the changes in one go. Examine each one and decide if you want to accept it or not. You will need time for this process, too.
