Writing,
rewriting, editing, and formatting of medical manuscripts, papers, and books
Editing and journal styles
When we write medical manuscripts, we generally edit to AMA style, although we also offer APA and Chicago Manual styles, if required. If you have already targeted a journal for submission, we can additionally edit to that house style's editing, provided you let us know the name of the journal. (Note: some medical journals have stringent requirements regarding layout of tables, figures, and text.) If asked, we will check the format of references; we also offer a further service for checking the accuracy of references (reference verification).
When we rewrite or revise medical manuscripts, we generally line edit, but often do substantive editing where necessary. Line editing encompasses spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, typos, basic paragraphing rules, parallelism, redundancies, and correct scientific unit presentation, and well as correct formatting for journal requirements. Substantive editing, in addition, covers: checking correct in-text reference citation; restructuring sentences or paragraphs for better clarity and flow; highlighting any inconsistencies we find and which we cannot correct from context; congruent table and figure citations; and performing basic journal text formatting.
We write in Microsoft Word; other programs, notably Adobe Acrobat do not provide the facilities that are needed. Generally, we set our page format into 12pt Time New Roman font unless an overriding concern exists to choose another type.
We also are able to offer US or UK spelling and punctuation, if required. Let us know whether you prefer to have the tracking feature in Word turned on so you can see what has been changed. When using the tracking feature, we always supply a clean copy that has been further proofread.
Although we charge by the hour to write so you don’t get overcharged for a particular project, we will give you an estimate range once we know the details of the project. Typical costs run from about $800 to write a simple case study to $3000 or more for a complex study of some 3,000 words that has figures, tables, and a large number of references.
Rewriting of medical papers
We can rewrite papers if the need arises, typically if English is not your first language, or referees have suggested it. In such cases, we will need to see the paper first, plus any comments, before we can issue an exact quotation; rewriting a manuscript of about 3,000-3,500 words generally costs $500-$1,000, depending on what needs to be done. We can also shorten a paper if it is "overweight." We would need to see the paper and know the number of words it should be to give you a quote.
Because we are extremely familiar with the NLM database (PubMed), and have dedicated source providers, we can obtain copies of journal articles and books. We e-mail all articles, typically in Adobe pdf format. We also offer literature search services at $75 per hour; all we need is a list of subjects you wish to research and how far back in time you wish to go.
Formatting of figures, graphs, and tables
Some journals require specific formatting with regard to tables and graphs, and this we can also perform. In addition, we can also touch up or reconfigure graphs and images, depending on the file format. The cost of this work varies, but we will give you an exact quotation, if needed.
Areas of expertise
Through our expertise and background, we are able to work in most areas of medical research. This is an illustrative list of the kinds of areas in which we work with our clients: epidemiology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology, wound care, hyperbaric medicine, obesity, eating disorders, cost-effectiveness studies, evidence-based medicine, endocrinology, and metabolism.
We also have expertise within the life sciences, chemistry, psychology, sociology, and some other earth sciences. Visit our research studies page for more details.
Critiquing of scientific papers
Our Style and Critique service addresses those situations in which you suspect that your work isn't all it could be, or a number of reviewers indicated your paper or book is lacking in certain areas. (Having seen hundreds of these comments over the years, we must admit we are baffled by them, too, from time to time.) If it's within our capability we are more than happy to quote you to fix all the problems within a given manuscript on this basis. Depending on the size of the manuscript and how much rewriting, reorganization, and rework it will take costs will typically vary from about $300 upward.
