Thesis Proof Edit Rewrite Services

Glossary

Thesis Services

ABSTRACT
Usually a complete summary of your work akin to a micro-version of the whole thesis, briefly covering all key elements such as background, problem, method, results, conclusions, contribution(s)/implication(s) and recommendations.

APPENDIX/APPENDICES
Additional matter at the end of your thesis containing inessential but relevant further information (e.g. raw data, source material, questionnaires/surveys, correspondence, transcripts) referred to in the main work.

ARGUMENT
The specific stance you are taking on an issue, which you develop into your thesis by showing how you will develop this argument and why. It is often the core and central strand of a thesis.

AUTHORIAL VOICE
The particular style you as the author adopt in the writing of your thesis regarding syntax, vocabulary, punctuation, grammar, etc.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
All the sources used in the work, whereas references are the actual works referred or alluded to in your thesis.

COACHING
In this context, one-to-one support for students to help them improve their academic writing and performance. Thesis Services sees coaching as a collaborative process that ultimately facilitates individuals' appropriate development.

CODE OF PRACTICE
Written guidelines or rules from universities in terms of ethics, student conduct, work submitted, etc. with which their students must comply.

CROSS-REFERENCE
A reference in one part of your thesis that refers to another part. Make sure they match.

DOCTOR
In an academic context, 'doctor' means someone has been awarded a doctorate (see next).

DOCTORATE
A qualification showing that the student has accomplished original professional or academic work, including the writing of a thesis. Examples include PhD, DPhil and various professional or practice-based doctorates (e.g. EdD, DProf).

EDIT
Editing is more detailed than proofreading and addresses matters of style, syntax, mechanics, artwork, readability and much more (e.g. overall structure, concision) to improve the document and make it clearer. It is also prepares the document for the final proofreading stage. Visit my Thesis Editing Services to learn more about getting your thesis edited.

ENDNOTE
A note at the end of a chapter, section or the whole thesis. It must have a corresponding/matching indicator within the text. See Footnote.

ESSAY
A student’s short piece of academic writing on a particular subject area, often in response to an instruction or a question.

ETHICS
Maintaining academic integrity and following a university’s and/or regulatory body’s code of practice (e.g. avoiding plagiarism).

FOOTNOTE
Similar to an endnote but with the note starting at the bottom of the page on which the note indicator occurs.

GRADUATION
A ceremony at which students receive and celebrate an academic award.

HYPOTHESIS
A statement in a piece of work that the researcher will subsequently test and determine to be valid or not.

INTERPOLATION
Additional information in a quotation in the author’s words and thus not part of the quote. It is usually in [square brackets].

LITERATURE REVIEW
Not simply a summary of related literature – it is also an analysis of related literature, and it is one done in relation to your own work.

METHOD(S)/METHODOLOGY
A presentation and analysis of methods employed, how and why these were chosen, rationale and underlying philosophy, etc. In short, a study of the method(s).

MONOGRAPH
Many often convert their theses into books or monographs – specialist writings on specific subjects.

ORAL EXAMINATION
See VIVA.

PARAPHRASING
Stating the essence of something/the same meaning using different words (different from quoting the actual words).

PERSONAL STATEMENT
Many often find these documents (submitted for work or study applications) difficult: please read about personal statements services for further information.

PhD or DPhil
The specific qualifications for a doctorate: the highest degree (in terms of traditional/formal academic level) a student can gain."

PLAGIARISM
Stealing another’s work and presenting it as one’s own. Plagiarism breaks ethics and contravenes academic and regulatory institutions’ codes of practice.

POSTGRADUATE
Studying at a level beyond that of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree (e.g. master’s).

PROOFREADING
This service focuses on identifying particular types of errors and making the work consistent. It should come after editing, but it is often impractical for students to have two stages of work so a proof-edit is common. I offer a Thesis Proofreading Service and a Thesis Proof-Edit Service (within editing).

PROOF-EDIT
A service that combines elements of proofreading and editing to offer one main stage of work only (rather than editing then proofreading). It therefore gives benefits of each (e.g. revising sentence structures from editing and improving consistency from proofreading). It can save time and money, though it is not usually as effective as having editing then proofreading as separate stages; also, authors often make significant updates to their work after this so aspects of the final work are not always checked. Consequently, a proof-edit is not always ideal.

QUALITATIVE DATA
Qualitative data concerns quality and such descriptive data is more difficult to measure than quantitative data.

QUANTITATIVE DATA
Quantitative data concerns amounts and normally has specific units to measure (e.g. miles for distances).

QUOTATION
The citing of another’s words in one’s own work. In academia they are in quotation marks, unless they are block quotes (indented extract set off from the main text), and referenced accordingly (e.g. Harvard).

REFERENCES
See Bibliography.

RESEARCH
Investigating various sources to gain information about a specific subject. It can be primary research (e.g. interviews) or secondary research (e.g. documents).

RESEARCH QUESTION
They key question about the subject you are investigating that you intend to solve in your thesis. It should be unique, focus your research accordingly and be answerable.

REWRITING
Rewriting a thesis is often not as simple as just changing the words or writing style, as there can be issues with the structure, argument, focus, etc. It can be difficult work but my Thesis Rewriting Services can help you.

SUPERVISOR
Your guide throughout your doctorate study. He or she is an important figure, and their feedback is useful for thesis editing and proofreading so don't neglect this.

STYLE GUIDE or MANUAL
A set of criteria to follow as you write your thesis (e.g. spelling, vocabulary, style aspects). Universities can have their own, refer to an external one or combine these two approaches.

THESIS
A proposition, argument or theory presented for subsequent analysis, the core idea of which is ultimately sustained, rejected or otherwise explained using supportive points, evidence and(/or) research. In academia, it is also a significant piece of original writing that focuses on this core idea, usually has a common structure and employs varying levels of research.

THESIS STATEMENT
A sentence stating the essence of your thesis and the specific perspective you are adopting regarding your argument.

THESIS STRUCTURE/ORGANISATION
The way you organise your thesis to present it in the most effective way possible. These are often standardised but can have unique aspects to suit your thesis.

TITLE PAGE
The cover sheet/front page of your thesis. It has various conventions to follow according to each university and usually requires standardised text. make sure you include each element correctly.

TRIMMING
Reducing the number of words in a thesis without losing the essence of the work to meet a specific word count limitation and/or to improve the writing and style. Thesis Services offers 'trimming' services to reduce your word count.

UNDERGRADUATE
A student who has not yet gained their first degree.

VIVA or VIVA VOCE
An oral examination before a Committee of Examiners whereby students are tested on their thesis (sometimes similar for other academic work) and must respond verbally.

Is there a term that you want a brief definition or explanation of, or one that you think should be in the above list? If so, let me know and, if it's appropriate, I'll add it.