Our Approach
At a critical friend, we provide tailored research coaching, academic support and editing services to build the research skills, confidence and capabilities for outstanding academic outputs. Our mission is to help research students and ECRs thrive with constructive feedback and critical attention to detail.
Dr Melissa Sullivan has more than 20 years of academic experience in Australian universities, a track record of publishing in high quality journals, and peer review expertise. Melissa aims to help you generate clear and concise research for enhanced readability to maximise your impact.
About our services.
A critical friend specialises in Qualitative Research, providing research skills development and substantive editing. Our editing services focus on improving the overall readability, cohesiveness, and flow of your academic output. We are an Australian business with qualified editors experienced in Australian universities. We adhere to the Australian Standards for Editing Practice.
We enhance clarity and consistency in your work and include a stepped, consultative thesis editing approach. Consultation during the editing process is critical in developing your 'voice' as a writer, researcher and academic. This individual attention to polishing your personal style is what makes our services so different to AI. Together with short, constructive consultations, our editors tailor their approach to meet your specific needs.
As professional editors, we do not alter your structure as part of our work. We will provide exemplars or suggestions to help you improve your structure where required. We also do not edit or provide advice on referencing. If required, we will highlight inconsistencies in referencing style, however we encourage you to utilise one of the many referencing products available to assist with this important academic skill.
Costs associated with editing your thesis vary depending on word count, speed of delivery, and writing quality. Generally, you can expect to pay approximately A$4000 for an 80,000 word thesis and approximately A$5000 for a 100,000 word thesis. At a critical friend, this includes consultations and payments in two instalments - the first instalment is due following your initial online consultation and the second and final instalment is billed following your second consultation. If you have any questions about costs and speed of delivery, please contact us.
The thesis editing process is outlined below.
Thesis Editing Process
Step 1
Initial consultation
In the initial consultation, you explain specific areas of your thesis that may need attention, describe your requirements, and explain any technical or unusual language used in your work. Your editor will ask you to provide your thesis, and any university policies and procedures regarding the style or structure of your thesis prior to this consultation by email. A payment schedule will be presented to you at this consultation based on word count and speed of delivery. Contact us to book your first consultation.
Step 2
Three chapter review
Three chapters will be edited and returned for your review. Typically, the chapters reviewed at this stage are chapters 2, 3 and 4.
Step 3
Second consultation
In the second consultation, you give feedback to your editor and provide further requests and/or guidance for the completion of your editing project. Your second instalment is invoiced for payment following this session.
Step 4
Project completion
Thesis editing is completed and returned electronically in a word document. The edited document includes editor's comments and all edits in tracked changes.
How can we help you?
Consultative approach. Instalment payments.
Testimonials
