How to Find an Editor for a Scientific Document

If you are seeking an editor for your scientific document, take a moment to consider, first, what kind of document you have and the type of editing service(s) you need. For example, if you have a technical article that you want to publish in a specific journal, visit our previous article on  finding an editor for a journal article; if you are writing a dissertation, visit our previous article for some  helpful tips on selecting a dissertation editor or proofreader.

For any general scientific document or report, you might want to:

• Simplify the language so that the information becomes accessible to a wider audience of readers
• Reduce the word count without altering or oversimplifying key information
• Format your manuscript to fit the specifications of a particular publication

We recommend that you explore editors whose experiences align most closely with your stated goals. For example, if you need help simplifying the language, you might consider an editor with teaching experience—after all, the main part of an instructor’s job is to take complex material, distill it, and transmit it to those with less knowledge and experience. Likewise, if you need to reduce your word count or paraphrase specific sections, consider choosing an editor with academic or technical writing experience; being concise and straightforward is critically important in these areas. Finally, if you need to format your scientific paper for a particular publication’s guidelines, look for an editor with experience in academic publishing, which might include service as a senior editor for a journal, a copy editor for a textbook company, or someone who has worked as a dissertation or thesis consultant in a higher education institution.

The main takeaway of this brief article is that, when you seek an editor, the most important consideration is the result you ultimately want to achieve. Remember, editors are humans whose previous experiences, education, and worldview influence how they see the world and the ways in which they approach a document. Moreover, while some editors are incredibly talented, no level of talent can make one a mind reader. Therefore, remember to identify clearly what your objectives are and communicate those to your editor, along with anything else that could be helpful, when you make your request.