Ethical thesis editing should strengthen the clarity, structure, language, and presentation of a student’s work without changing the original research, ideas, analysis, or academic contribution. In Canada, students should discuss with their supervisor what level of editing is acceptable under their institution’s academic integrity policies, whether external editing support can be used, and how any editorial assistance should be acknowledged. It is also important to clarify who is responsible for the final content and whether an editor may suggest substantial structural or methodological changes. Having these conversations before seeking thesis editing support helps ensure that the process remains transparent, academically appropriate, and consistent with institutional requirements.
