Budgeting Wisely

Budgeting is something we all strive for when making purchases. Whether it’s putting an item back or using a coupon, it proves to always be beneficial for your wallet. Did you know you can do that with our services as well? Recently, we’ve updated our Editing and Statistics packages to reflect the effectiveness of our services on a budget.

This option is great for those that are just starting out on your Dissertation process, or will be needing extra support through follow-up orders and other various services. For each retainer, you also receive a discount on all of our services!

• $3,000 package: 10% discount on all orders
  • $5,000 package: 12% discount on all orders
  • $8,000 package: 15% discount on all orders

“What services are included?” ALL of them! From our Coaching and Consultation, Annotated Bibliography, to Editing, we’re here to support you at every stage of your Dissertation. All of our editors have acquired a PhD, and are here to give valuable feedback and guidance to ensure your academic success.

If interested, we would love to set one up for you today. You can call us at (857) 419-3479, or email us at info@dissertation-editor.com. 

Tips & Tricks #3Ensuring Requirements are Met

We frequently receive rubrics from clients who believe they are submitting a formatting template or university guidelines. Understanding the distinctions between these three documents is crucial for ensuring your dissertation meets all necessary standards. This post aims to clarify the differences and guide you on how to acquire the correct documents.

Rubric

A rubric is a tool used to assess the quality and content of your dissertation. It outlines the criteria on which your work will be evaluated, such as clarity, coherence, originality, and adherence to research standards. While rubrics are essential for understanding how your work will be graded, they do not provide instructions on how to format your dissertation.

Template

A template is a pre-formatted document that helps you structure your dissertation according to specific formatting requirements. It includes preset margins, headings, fonts, and other style elements that ensure your document meets the standards set by your university. Using a template can save you time and ensure consistency in your formatting.

University Guidelines

University guidelines are detailed documents that outline the specific formatting and structural requirements for dissertations. These guidelines cover elements such as:

• Front matter (title page, abstract, acknowledgments, etc.)
• Section titles and headings
• Margins and page numbers
• Font size and type
• Citation style

Guidelines ensure that your dissertation adheres to the standards expected by your university, which can vary significantly between institutions.

How to Acquire a Formatting Template and University Guidelines

1. Contact Your Chair or Program Administrator: They are often the best source for obtaining the correct formatting template and guidelines. They can provide you with the most up-to-date and accurate documents.
2. University Website: Many universities have a dedicated section on their website for thesis and dissertation guidelines. Check the graduate school or library section for downloadable templates and detailed guidelines.
3. Consult Peers: Fellow students who have recently completed their dissertations might have the necessary templates and guidelines and can offer valuable insights into the formatting process.

Why This Matters

Submitting the correct formatting template and university guidelines is essential for ensuring your dissertation meets all required standards. Without these, you may face additional service fees for late instructions and potentially need to make extensive revisions.

If you’re ever unsure about the documents you need, don’t hesitate to reach out to your chair or program administrator. We’re here to help you navigate this process and ensure your dissertation meets all necessary requirements.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need further assistance!

Tips & Tricks #1

Simplifying the Process: Creating a Clean Copy in MS Word

We often receive inquiries from clients asking for a clean copy of their dissertation after we’ve completed our edits. Understanding how to manage the different versions of your document can be confusing, especially when dealing with tracked changes and comments. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of accepting all changes and removing all comments to create a clean copy of your document.

Understanding the Different Versions

When we send you your edited dissertation, you’ll typically receive three versions of the same document:

1. Marked: This version shows all editorial revisions and marginal comments.
2. Comments: This version has the visual markup of editorial revisions removed, but preserves your editor’s comments for ease of review.
3. Unmarked: This version has both the visual markup and comments removed.

Despite these different versions, they are all essentially the same document with different views enabled. Here’s how you can create a clean copy yourself, if needed.

Steps to Create a Clean Copy in MS Word

1. Accepting All Changes:

To accept all changes in your document:

• Go to the Review tab on the ribbon.
• Click on the drop-down arrow next to Accept.
• Select Accept All Changes.

This action will incorporate all the edits into the main text, leaving you with a document free of tracked changes.

2. Removing All Comments:

To remove all comments:

• While still in the Review tab, click on the drop-down arrow next to Delete in the Comments section.
• Select Delete All Comments in Document.

This will clear all comments, leaving you with a clean document.

3. Save Your Clean Document:

Finally, save your document:

• Go to File > Save As.
• Choose a location and file name, and save your clean document.

“So, Which Document Should I Continue Writing With?”

After receiving the edited versions of your dissertation, you might wonder which document to continue working on. Here are your options:

1. Continue with the Comments Version: If you want to review the comments from your editor but without the distraction of visual markup, continue working with the Comments version. This allows you to focus on addressing the feedback and making necessary adjustments without seeing the detailed tracking of every change.

2. Continue with the Unmarked Version: If you’re confident with the edits and want a version of the document without comments or markup, continue working with the Unmarked version. However, remember that this version still needs your review and adjustments based on the editor’s comments before it is ready for final submission.

Why We Provide Different Versions

We provide different versions of your document to help you see the edits we’ve made and understand our suggestions. The Marked version allows you to see every change and comment, the Comments version shows you the document with comments preserved but without the visual markup, and the Unmarked version is free of comments and markup but still requires your attention to the feedback provided.

Additional Information

To reiterate, please review the Comments version and address any issues raised by your editor. Your document is not considered “submission ready” until you have made these adjustments. If you wish to revise your edited document and then submit it for follow-up editing, please turn on “tracked changes” or otherwise highlight your revisions. This enables us to price follow-up editing based on new material only, ensuring that you are not charged for redundant editing.

By following the steps above, you can easily manage these versions and create a clean copy whenever needed. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Dissertation Editor. We’re here to help make your dissertation editing process as smooth as possible.

Tips & Tricks #2

Clarifying the Use of First-Person Pronouns in APA Style

At Dissertation Editor, we frequently receive questions and concerns about the use of first-person pronouns in academic writing. A common query is: “Why did you use first-person pronouns to edit my paper?” This blog post aims to clarify this matter, specifically focusing on the American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines, to help our clients understand our editorial choices and the current standards.

Understanding APA Guidelines

The APA officially endorses the use of first-person pronouns in its 7th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2020). This preference often surprises scholars who are accustomed to avoiding first-person pronouns in academic writing. However, the APA’s stance is clear and is designed to reduce ambiguity and increase clarity in attribution.

Key Points from the APA Manual

The rule is outlined in Section 4.16, “First- Versus Third-Person Pronouns,” of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed., 2020, p. 120), which states:

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To avoid ambiguity in attribution, use the first person rather than the third person when describing the work you did as part of your research and when expressing your own views. If you are writing a paper by yourself, use the pronoun “I”; do not use the pronoun “we” to refer to yourself if you do not have coauthors (see also Section 4.17). If you are writing a paper with coauthors, use the pronoun “we.” Do not refer to yourself or your coauthors in the third person as “the author(s)” or “the researcher(s).”

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Additional Resources

For those without easy access to the APA manual, here are two helpful web resources on the subject, published by the APA:

• American Psychological Association. (n.d.). First-person pronouns. APA Style – The APA Style Blog. Updated July 2022, https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/grammar/first-person-pronouns
• Greenbaum, H. (2021, December 1). The “no first-person” myth. APA Style – The APA Style Blog. https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/first-person-myth

These resources provide further explanation and examples of proper first-person usage in APA style.

Practical Examples

When writing an APA Style paper by yourself, use the first-person pronoun “I” to refer to yourself, and use the pronoun “we” when writing an APA Style paper with others. Here are some example phrases:

• “I think…”
• “I believe…”
• “I interviewed the participants…”
• “I analyzed the data…”
• “My analysis of the data revealed…”
• “We concluded…”
• “Our results showed…”

The instructive point here is that APA prefers “I analyzed the data…” and “My analysis of the data revealed…” over passive constructions like “The data were analyzed…” or third-person references like “The researcher analyzed the data…” This approach is intended to make writing clearer and more direct.

Our Editorial Practices

Given the APA’s guidelines, our editors follow these rules unless instructed otherwise. We include a special note on this issue at the beginning of every service contract to ensure clarity:

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Please be aware of the following before initiating your order:
We will adhere to APA style as set forth in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). However, if you have additional guidelines from your university (e.g., a template, handbook, checklist, or sample dissertation), you must provide these prior to the start of editing. Instructions received after the completion of editing cannot be implemented as part of the service order described herein.
APA 7 now requires that writers use first person (i.e., “I investigated”) rather than third person (i.e., “the researcher investigated”) when referring to themselves in their writing. Please confirm that you are following this requirement; if you are not, please provide alternate instructions prior to the start of editing. If you have questions about this rule, please refer to the following resource from the official APA Style Blog: https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/first-person-myth.

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What to Do if You Prefer a Different Style

If you decide you still wish to disregard this particular APA guideline, we are happy to handle the change as a follow-up order. Just let us know which alternative you and your committee prefer—passive voice (“The data were analyzed…”) or third person (“The researcher analyzed the data…”). We will accommodate your preferences to ensure your dissertation meets your specific requirements.

We hope this blog post clarifies the APA guidelines and our editorial choices! If you have any further questions or need additional clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Taking a Deep Dive

When formatting your dissertation, there are two sets of guidelines you’ll need to successfully get your dissertation approved: (a) the particular style guidelines set out by your discipline (APA, Chicago/Turabian, MLA, etc.), and (b) the formatting guidelines set out by your university. Most students are familiar with the first set of guidelines; however, they are often unaware of the second.

Take APA as an example. The APA 7 manual provides instruction on a multitude of issues. It sets out formatting guidelines for things like section headers, in-text citations and the reference lists, table and figure formatting, spelling and punctuation, etc. While extensive, APA 7 is not exhaustive. It is intended to provide guidelines for student and professional papers. Notably, APA does not provide any guidance on how to format the elements that are unique to book-length manuscripts (like dissertations!). This is where university guidelines come in.

Let’s look at the beginning pages of the dissertation, collectively called the front matter. The front matter is made up of anything that comes before the main body or text of your dissertation. It commonly includes elements like the cover page, signature page, copyright page, acknowledgements, dedication, abstract, table of contents, list of tables, and list of figures. University guidelines provide instruction on how to format these pages, many of which are not covered by the APA manual.

One such page is the Table of Contents. It also happens to be the hardest to format from both a technical and stylistic standpoint. Not only does the Table of Contents need to be accurate and function properly, but it also needs to look a certain way. Your university guidelines will tell you how. They’ll dictate whether to list the pages that come before the Table of Contents, or only those that come after. Whether to include only Level 1 and Level 2 headings, or Level 3 headings as well. Whether to indent entries by half an inch, a quarter inch, or some combination of the two. Admittedly, not all guidelines will address all of these issues. However, your university guidelines will shape the overall look of your Table of Contents and your dissertation more broadly. They’re there to ensure consistent formatting among all of the manuscripts from students who graduate from that institution.

Almost all universities have at least some formatting guidelines. Most even provide a university template which models how the dissertation should be formatted. (It’s much easier to look at an example than to interpret pages and pages of descriptive prose!) If you are not sure whether your university or program has a formatting guide or template, we would suggest reaching out to your chair or program administrator. You’ll want to make sure you have all the information you need to format your dissertation properly and get it approved by both your committee and your university!

March 4th? March Forth! It’s the only day of the year that tells you to do something. We hope it’s telling you to keep writing your dissertation or work on turning that dissertation into a book or journal article. March 4th is also National Grammar Day! It’s the day when we can tell jokes like this and hopefully not sound too obnoxious or pretentious:

Knock Knock

Who’s There?

To.

To who?

To whom.

It’s also the day when we editors get to celebrate making sentences correct. If you’re doing some writing that requires some additional help with YOUR sentences, be sure to drop us a line! We’d love to assist in any way we can.

A Call for Inclusivity

In the world of academia, the journey for students of color in predominantly white PhD programs is often marked by challenges that extend beyond the rigors of research and scholarly pursuits. The isolation experienced by being the sole representative of diversity in these spaces is a stark reality that demands attention. To those who find themselves in this position, know this: You are NOT ALONE.

In addressing this issue, it becomes imperative for PhD programs to extend genuine support and foster an environment that acknowledges and embraces diversity. Here, we delve into key considerations and recommendations for cultivating inclusivity:

1. Representation Matters

The call for diverse representation among staff and faculty is not merely a plea for optics but a fundamental necessity. Diverse role models and mentors bring a wealth of perspectives that enrich the academic discourse. Institutions must actively seek and welcome individuals from different cultural backgrounds to ensure a more comprehensive representation.

2. Building Support Networks

Isolation can be an insidious force, particularly when navigating uncharted territory. Establishing support networks for students of color is paramount. These networks provide a space for shared experiences, encouragement, and empowerment. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by these students is the first step toward breaking down the walls of isolation.

3. Fostering Open Dialogue and Collaboration

The foundation of any thriving academic community is built upon open dialogue and collaboration. PhD programs should actively encourage and facilitate conversations that embrace diverse perspectives. Creating an environment where individuals feel heard and understood is essential for fostering a sense of belonging.

4. Diversifying Research Topics

The richness of academic exploration lies in the diversity of research topics undertaken. Institutions should champion and celebrate a spectrum of research endeavors that reflect the varied tapestry of our global society. Encouraging students to explore topics that showcase diversity ensures that academia remains relevant and attuned to the complexities of the world.

In conclusion, the imperative for inclusivity in predominantly white PhD programs is not a mere suggestion but a call to action. It is a collective responsibility to dismantle the barriers that hinder the full participation of students of color in academia. By championing diversity, fostering support networks, encouraging dialogue, and embracing varied research topics, PhD programs can evolve into spaces that truly embody the principles of equity and inclusion. The journey toward inclusivity begins with acknowledging the challenges and committing to creating a scholarly environment that is reflective of the world we live in.

Tips for Your Well-Being

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right? Except you have a few other things on your mind besides the best gift to buy your family and friends. You also have to consider the best methodology that aligns with your research or how many participants to reach out to make your study valid. Talk about STRESS!  The holiday season should be a time to decompress for everyone–even academics. So, here are a few tips to maintain your mental health during the holidays as you work on your PhD. 

1. Be realistic about your goals: You want to make sure you have time to enjoy the holiday festivities with your family and friends and also meet your word count, send out surveys, or get those revisions done for your advisor before the new year. But are all of those things realistic? Don’t overwhelm yourself during this holiday season with goals that are not practical. Think about the things related to your PhD that absolutely MUST be done before the new year and work on those items. Everything else can wait until next semester.  Which leads to the next tip…
2. Schedule it out: Establish a schedule that will allow you to wrap presents, spend time with loved ones, and get some things done for your coursework or your dissertation. Make a schedule that will allow you to get all of these goals checked off and still allow you to take care of yourself.
3. Self-Care: This is probably the most important tip. Here are some suggestions: exercising, reading, listening to music, visiting a spa, or maybe even just taking a nap, spending time with loved ones setting up a hot chocolate bar, or going to see your favorite holiday light display. Whatever it is that makes you happy during this holiday season is a great way to nourish your mental health. 
4. Set Boundaries:  Establish time for work (working on your dissertation/PhD work) and personal (family/holiday celebrations) time. It’s important to differentiate and separate out time for these tasks, especially during this holiday season. And finally…
5. Give Yourself Breaks: Take out time for fun and relaxing activities with family and friends. It’s the holidays afterall! Do the activities that you enjoy the most during this most wonderful time of the year.

Mental Health and Suicide: My personal story and the stories of those left behind, with a deep dive into the construction industry

Explore the heart-wrenching reality of the construction industry in the United States through the eyes of Dr. Vince Hafeli, who bravely shares his extraordinary life journey and the startling statistics that reveal the industry’s highest suicide rate. As a valued client, we are proud to present this emotionally charged narrative that sheds light on the industry’s highest suicide rate and its profound impact on the lives of those working in construction.

Through poignant storytelling, Dr. Hafeli weaves together his personal narrative with twelve individual stories of those who have lost loved ones to suicide within the construction sector. This raw and emotional account is based on qualitative interviews, candid conversations, and his own lived experiences, providing readers with a profound insight into the struggles faced by individuals in this demanding profession.

The narrative takes an unexpected turn as Dr. Hafeli recounts his own battle with despair, offering a unique perspective on the mental health challenges prevalent in the construction industry. As the stories unfold, a powerful message emerges—one of hope, resilience, and the urgent need for change.

This book serves as a wake-up call to industry leaders, urging them to prioritize mental health and suicide prevention within their organizations. Drawing on Dr. Hafeli’s findings, the narrative makes a compelling case that addressing these issues not only leads to a more resilient and loyal workforce but also provides a competitive advantage in the construction sector.

You can purchase his book on Amazon here. 

Book Spotlight

Ready to tackle organizational change like a pro? The Master Change Agent Framework is your trusty guide through the chaos of transformation. We are proud to spotlight our previous client, Dr. Mary Barnes, with over two decades of experience.

For change leaders feeling lost in the whirlwind of change, this book is your lifeline. Dr. Mary Barnes offers a practical roadmap for success:

1. Polish your leadership skills for change.
   • Customize your approach for consistent wins.
   • Make organizational systems work for you.
   • Tackle common change agent problems.
   • Assemble a team that’s just right for the job.

This book is a practical guide loaded with tips, templates, and real-life examples. Say goodbye to change chaos and hello to confident, effective leadership. You can purchase her book here on Amazon.