Over the years, I gradually reduced the number of theses and dissertations that I edit. As of the end of 2009, I am no longer accepting theses, dissertations, or project papers for graduate or undergraduate programs.
Recently, I came across this very helpful page on the site of the Editors’ Association of Canada: Guidelines for Editing Theses. The first and most important step for the degree candidate is the following:
“The thesis writer must obtain from the thesis supervisor written permission for professional editing. This note should specify what the editor is allowed to do. The editor must be assured that he or she, the thesis supervisor, and the student understand the limits of the work permitted.” [Editors’ Association of Canada: Guidelines for Editing Theses, 2006, p. 1]
The appendix section is particularly useful, because it gives specific insight into what an editor can and cannot do for the candidate. Please keep these things in mind, along with your own university and department guidelines, when considering whether to hire an editor for your dissertation or thesis.
Click here for information on APA Style tutorials and an APA 6th Edition course available on the APA Style site.
It may be useful also to refer to this page from Princeton University’s site, Examples of Plagiarism. The examples that they provide, along with comments explaining how and why each example is actually plagiarism, are illuminating.