As an academic, it can be difficult to figure out what type of editing your manuscript needs. Some editorial companies offer different “levels” of editing, where one service may only evaluate the document’s overall structure and content without implementing changes, and another focuses on word choice, the impact of individual sentences, and how they flow together.
At eContent Pro (eCPro), we try our best to make decisions simple for our customers, which is why we offer two editing services that evaluate documents at every level.
In this blog, you will learn about these two major types of editing: English Language Copy Editing and Proofreading versus Scientific and Scholarly Editing. By the end of the article, you will be able to make an informed decision regarding which service best suits your needs.
What is Copy Editing and Proofreading?
At most editorial companies, their copy-editing services focus only on a manuscript’s flaws and errors. Their copy editors will not address “big picture” items such as content and overall structure. Rather, they fix grammar, spelling, typos, misused phrases and expressions; ensure consistency in style and tone; eliminate wordiness and jargon; change passive voice to active voice; and more.
When it comes to the English Language Copy Editing and Proofreading service at eCPro, our copy editors do all of this and more. With a fine-toothed comb, our professional, native English-speaking copy editors address a wide range of issues within a document. In addition to the previously listed tasks, our copy editors will also evaluate your document on a macro-level and offer suggestions on how to improve its structure, flow, and readability.
Many individuals seek copy editing for theses, dissertations, resumes, cover letters, proposals, and research papers. However, it is mostly used for documents or manuscripts written for publication and requiring specific style formatting. These documents or manuscripts also tend to include a high volume of cited material and a list of references or a bibliography. In addition to a specific manual style, a house style that is unique to a publisher may also need to be followed for proper formatting of your document. eCPro’s copy editors will review in-text citations and references to ensure consistency.
If you intend to submit your document to an academic journal for publishing, it is highly recommended that it goes through a round of copy editing before submission. As you know, a document undergoes strenuous peer review before it is accepted to a journal, and copy editing your work is key in ensuring that you are presenting a mistake-free manuscript.
What is Academic Proofreading?
Proofreading is the final stage of our editorial process. Our certified proofreaders provide this service once your document has been finalized and copy edited as a “final check,” so that you can be sure that no typos remain in your text and that nothing has been accidentally deleted in the editing process.
What Is Scientific and Scholarly Editing?
While our English Language Copy Editing and Proofreading service polishes your document for publication, our Scientific & Scholarly Editing service critically analyzes your work. Expert academic editors holding Doctorate degrees in your research area will provide a pre-publication content review of your document and complete an evaluation form. In their evaluation, they will identify major strengths and weaknesses in your manuscript, its significance and interest to the research community, and make recommendations for improvement, among other areas. The identities of the author and editors remain anonymous during this service so that the editors can provide an unbiased review.
It is important to note that our editors do not look at grammar and punctuation when they assess your scientific manuscript. Rather, they evaluate the content in your document and decide if it is fit for publication. This review can be crucial in making sure your document is well-rounded, thorough, and relevant prior to having the publisher’s reviewers examine your document. It is almost impossible to be totally unbiased about your own writing, so having an additional pair of expert eyes to critically look at your content is very important. Experts in your research field are imparting their wisdom onto you, which is an invaluable tool not just for publication, but for learning more about how your work will be perceived in your academic community.
The Bottom Line
When using any professional editing service, it is important to understand that a professional editor is an unbiased audience to your writing, and it is their job to review your document and offer their expertise for maximizing the readability and clarity of your message. When sending your document for professional editing, always make sure you are supplying any formatting guides or other requirements at the beginning so that your professional editor can do a much more thorough job for your document. The final decision to accept any changes or recommendations in your document should always be yours.
Make the Correct Choice
At eCPro, we take pride in providing top-notch editorial services that are tailored to meet the needs of our clients. With over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, we have earned a reputation for delivering high-quality work that is error-free and polished to perfection at the quickest turnaround time.
When you choose eCPro for your copy editing and academic proofreading needs, you can rest assured that you are working with a team of experts who are passionate about what they do. Our native English-speaking copy editors and certified proofreaders are highly experienced and specialize in over 10 research areas, ensuring that your document is in good hands.
In addition, we use Microsoft Word's Track Changes feature to perform edits, allowing you to easily review and manage the changes made to your document. We also follow various style guides, including APA 7th edition, MLA, APA, Chicago Style, and more, to ensure that your document adheres to the standards set by your academic institution or publisher.
At eCPro, we are committed to providing excellent service at a competitive price. Our English Language Copy Editing and Proofreading service costs just US $0.06 per word, with a turnaround time of 2-3 business days at no extra cost. Your total cost of copy editing will also benefit from our current 10% academic discount.
Through our analysis, we have seen a much higher acceptance rate and quicker submission processes with manuscripts that have received our English Language Copy Editing and Proofreading and Scientific & Scholarly Editing services. If you use one of our bundled services, you will receive an additional 10% discount that can be combined with our current 10% academic discount for a total discount of 20%!
So why wait? Contact us today to learn more about our editorial services and how we can help you achieve your publishing goals. With our team of experts by your side, you can be confident that your document will be polished to perfection and ready to stand out in the competitive publishing landscape.
