Edit Policy

The elements checked by a proofing editor for a thesis or dissertation may include:

• Typographical errors
• End-of-line word divisions and bad breaks (incorrect line or page breaks)
• Errors in spelling
• Errors in word usage
• Errors in grammar and syntax
• Errors and inconsistencies in punctuation
• Errors in arithmetic and other facts within the realm of general knowledge
• Ambiguous vocabulary and syntax
• Redundancies and verbosity
• Jargon that is inappropriate for the intended audience
• Inconsistencies in logic, facts, details, and query
• Check URLS and DOIs to ensure all links are active
• Format of document, text, citations, and references according to the appropriate style guide
• Consistent style in headings and captions for tables, figures, and illustrations
• Ensure tables, graphs, and other art, including their labels, captions, and text mentions, adhere to the requirements of your publication guide
• Establish and maintain consistent patterns of mechanics (e.g., capitalization, acronyms, etc.)
• Conventions such as the use of:
  – italics, boldface, and underlines,
  – metric or imperial measurements,
  – abbreviations and symbols,
  – the treatment of technical and trademarked terms,
  – the choice of spelling and punctuation styles,
  – use of connections and transitions, and
  – parallel presentation for elements in a seriated list
• Statements that should be checked for accuracy and follow up as required. The flaws the editor watches for under this standard are not those involving the content of a thesis, but, rather, incidental references (e.g., a “billion” dollars becomes a “trillion,” “Montreal is east of Halifax,” “Ontario is the largest of the Great Lakes,” etc.)
• Possible legal trouble spots (e.g., libel, plagiarism, missing reprint permissions) or departures from social acceptability (e.g., gender, ethnicity, age, or other bias; failure to give sources).