#dissertationeditors

If you are searching for an editor to help you with your dissertation, this article will provide you with some suggestions to assist you in identifying and connecting with the right editor for your needs.

Most likely, your dissertation advisor and other members of your committee will serve as experts who can review your content, research design, and methodological approaches. Your institution also probably provides guidelines for theses and dissertations or even a staff person who can assist you with the required formatting. However, you will most certainly benefit from working with a professional editor who can help you to improve your phrasing, flow, consistency, and adherence to your chosen style guide (e.g., APA, Harvard, etc.).

While it never hurts to find an editor with some general knowledge of your subject matter, it is not necessary to find someone who is a leader or content expert in your specific area of research. For example, if you are a chemist, consider finding an editor with a STEM background. He or she is likely more familiar with the approaches and technical language expected in your discipline when compared to an editor with a background in literature. Conversely, if you are a historian, an editor with a background in the humanities or social sciences would be an appropriate choice.

It is nearly impossible for doctoral candidates or academic researchers to edit their own written work. When you are so involved with your research and the written material, you are less likely to see typos, spelling errors, or confusing parts in your dissertation chapters. An experienced editor who is looking at your paper with a “fresh” set of eyes will be able to notice errors and change any areas that could use improvement. Proofreading and editing are critical in the process of writing any document, and are particularly important for academic writers who are facing increased competition.

Professional editors are a great asset for any graduate student or Ph.D. candidate looking to improve a thesis, dissertation, or journal manuscript. Using a professional editing service can help you get better feedback from your adviser as you move through the stages of writing your dissertation, and can also help you craft your full dissertation into publishable articles. Even in cases where the ideas within a dissertation are innovative, important additions to the literature, a poorly written document could diminish the value of the document.

A professional editor can make sure your essay, research paper, thesis, or dissertation is easily understandable and free of errors. When choosing an experienced editor, it is important to choose someone who is familiar with your topic, is responsive to your needs, and can provide quality editing. It is important to ask your editor to focus on what is important to you, such as focusing on APA style, ensuring an error-free document, or improving the flow of the document. An editor with an academic background is an added benefit because that individual is familiar with the general process of writing a dissertation.