Frequently Asked Questions

Editing, Data Analysis, and Coaching Services

Editing

What is the benefit of using a firm like yours, rather than a freelance editor?

There are several advantages to doing business with a professional firm instead of a freelancer. Here are just a few:

Quality: Dissertations are our specialty. Every day, our full-time all-PhD staff review, edit, and format dissertations. Not only are our dissertation editors and consultants experienced, but each one was hired through a rigorous screening process to ensure that you receive the highest level of quality services. A freelancer can say whatever they want about themselves and their abilities; we’ve trained and tested our staff to ensure that they are truly experts at what they do.

No Missed Deadlines: Freelancers are notorious for missing deadlines or disappearing after payment. A freelancer can only take on a few projects at a time, and if they become too busy, they may not prioritize your order over other clients’ orders. With a professional firm, you’re assured that your deadline will be met. If your editor or consultant becomes ill or is unable to complete the order, we can simply replace them with another one of our staff.

Flexibility: Every person is unique and comes with their own personality and stylistic preferences. If you find that you’re not connecting with your editor or consultant, we can replace them with another one to ensure that you’re completely comfortable. This is done at no cost to you.

Longevity: We will be here for you today, next month, and for years to come—as long as you need us

Are your services confidential?

Yes, absolutely. All of your interactions with us, and the work we do for you, are 100% confidential. We are happy to send you a Non-Disclosure Agreement before you submit any of your work to us.

Are you willing to sign a contract?

Of course! Once we agree to general terms, we will gladly draft a contract for your review and approval.

How long does it take to edit a dissertation or thesis?

Turnarounds can vary according to the complexity of the order. We will, however, always provide you with an exact turnaround before you initiate your order. Typically, documents containing fewer than 50 pages will take 5 business days to edit, whereas full-length dissertations (100-250 pages) typically take 7-12 business days. We can expedite our services, though rush fees may apply.

What if I no longer wish to work with my assigned editor or statistician?

Our PhD consultants are talented and professional, but sometimes two people’s personal styles simply do not match. The first step is to inform us about the problem. Most editors can adjust their style and approach to meet your expectations. However, if you find that your editor or statistician is still not meeting your expectations, we will exchange them with another editor until you are satisfied.

How do "free revisions" work?

Free revisions work in two ways: (1) If any objective errors remain in your text or its formatting, we will revise these free of charge; (2) if you make minor edits to your document in response to our comments, we will review and edit these for you free of charge. NOTE: In order for us to review your changes, you must highlight or track them so that they are easily visible. If you add more than 200 words of total content, we will charge only for the additional content at the same per-word billing rate.

What if there are errors left in the edited copy?

While no edit is ever 100% perfect, typographical errors should be very rare. If you find any errors in your document, simply let us know as soon as possible, and we will fix the errors free of charge.

How do I know what level of editing will work best for my material?

Feel free to e-mail your dissertation to us and we’ll review and provide feedback on which type of editing may work best for you. Generally speaking, heavy developmental editing and line editing are most valuable pre-defense, while copy editing and proofreading are more appropriate post-defense.

May I receive a sample edit of my own work?

Yes, absolutely! Please send us some of your material and we will edit one page free of charge. This will provide you with a good sense of our editorial style. The typical turnaround on a sample edit is one or two days.

Do you have any samples?

Yes, please visit our samples pages using the links at the bottom of our APA Style, Chicago/Turabian Style, and Other Formatting Style pages.

Can I meet with my editor in person?

Maybe? The truth is our editors and statisticians are based in cities all over the United States and it is unlikely that the two of you will be in the same town. Alternatively, we offer video conferencing as a great way to connect with your editor or statistician to screenshare, and discuss your project.

May I speak with my editor or writer over the phone or Zoom?

Of course! We regularly book coaching and tutoring sessions with our editors and statisticians. Feel free to call our main office anytime 857-626-8035, or book a video-conference by emailing us at info@dissertation-editor.com, with your availability.

Will you write my dissertation for me?

Absolutely not. We unequivocally refuse to write content for academic submission and will not support plagiarism or academic dishonesty of any kind.

How does payment work?

We only require a 50% down payment to initiate an order; the balance is collected when your edited work is due to be returned to you. Bespoke payment plans can be arranged; just ask!

We offer a wide range of payment options. Zelle is our favorite. You can pay by credit card or debit card on our website, via PayPal via our portal (or, request a PayPal invoice). You can use Venmo. You can also send us money via Bank Wire. You can make a deposit in person at any Wells Fargo location. You can also mail us a check or Money Order.

Is editing my dissertation or thesis considered cheating?

Absolutely not! Many professors expect their students to seek professional editing assistance to ensure that the text is free of technical errors and properly formatted. The service we provide focuses on improving the mechanics and clarity of your content rather than writing original work—which would be considered plagiarism.

Statistics

What does the data analysis process involve?

Data analysis is a five step process. The first step is to define your research questions clearly. The second step is to determine how you are going to measure each component of your research question. The third step is to locate data that meets your measurement definition and prepare it to be analyzed. The fourth step is to analyze your data using an analysis appropriate for your measurement definition and data. The fifth step is to interpret your results.

What parts of the data analysis process do you help with?

We can help you with every step of the process from helping determine your methodology based on your established research questions, running any analyses or thematic coding, to presenting your final results in your dissertation or final report. We are happy to send you a Non-Disclosure Agreement before you submit any of your work to us.

I am in a rush to finish my dissertation. Is it possible to skip some of the steps?

Each step in the data analysis corresponds to underlying mathematical realities of statistical analysis and all are necessary to complete your dissertation.

How long does it take to finish an analysis?

It typically takes 5-7 business days from the time we complete step three until we deliver your results. Prior to completing step three, our process may be more of a conversation as we will need input from you to define your questions, measurement, and data set clearly.

I just have a few simple questions I need answered. Can you help?

We can try. If one of our project managers and consultants can help you, they will. If not, our standard rate for a coaching call with our statistician is $130 for the first hour, and $110 per hour for any subsequent call.

What are your terms and conditions?

For a complete list of our terms and conditions, please click here.