As well as proof-reading, will you edit my work?
We will ensure that your work reads well and is in good English. Depending on the level of service you have paid for, we will also offer feedback on structure, methodology and analysis. However, we won’t change the meaning of your work or re-write any sections for you.
How quickly will you return my work?
We will aim to get your work back to you as quickly as possible. We can usually read 5,000 words per day, meaning a 15,000-word piece takes three days after we start.
Johanna often has a waiting list, so you might have to wait longer if you are specifically requesting to work with her.
We can work to your schedule; if you have some sections finished earlier than others, we can start work on those while you complete the rest of your thesis. Please note that we don’t book work in with a member of the team until we have a copy of that work.
Why can’t I book a slot before my piece is ready?
Postgrad work is unpredictable. It might take longer to recruit your participants than you had hoped. Your supervisor might go off sick. You might really need a break. For this reason, we no longer book clients in until their pieces are ready to go. This saves you having to feel stressed about a deadline that is no longer realistic and saves us reserving time for work which doesn’t materialise. We have a large enough team of experts that we can still offer quick turnaround times.
What format should I send my work in?
Send your work to us in Word: either .doc or .docx. This is essential because we use Word’s track changes function to proof-read your work.
Why will you send me back two copies?
Many proof-reading services will only send you back one clean copy. You may feel that this approach would mean less work for you. However, since this is your project and is so crucial for you, we feel it’s important to offer you the chance to collaborate. Ultimately, it’s your choice whether to accept the changes we suggest. Including a copy with the track changes on it gives you the option to accept or reject those changes. The clean version means that if you are happy to trust our judgment, you can work with this version rather than going through the changes we’ve suggested.
What is included in the service?
We will proof-read your work and, depending on the level of service you are paying for, suggest feedback as well. See how it works for more detail about this. We are also happy to answer short questions via email and may, in certain circumstances, agree to brief video chats to talk through the work.
If you have booked a video consultation session, we will spend an hour beforehand reading the work you have sent us, and then an hour talking it through with you online. If you need more time, that can be arranged with the team on a case by case basis.
PGPR is not a supervision service, so we cannot offer ongoing extended conversations about your work or emotional support for the ups and downs of postgrad life.
What if I need to cancel or change my video consultation timeslot?
If you need to change your video consultation timeslot, you need to give us 48 hours’ notice. Otherwise your payment is non-refundable.
How can I pay?
You can pay via BACS transfer or Stripe. Please note that we do not accept PayPal.
If we are working on a larger piece, we will ask for a deposit of roughly 50% before we commence work. We will send a second invoice for the balance once the work is done.
What if I’m not satisfied?
For larger pieces, we will work on and return a small section to begin with. This gives you a chance to check that you are happy before we go any further. Working together in this way means you can let us know if there’s anything you would prefer us to do differently. However, we are so confident that you will be pleased with our work that we will not charge you for any completed sections if you are unhappy.
Where else can I read or learn about qualitative methods?
There are a number of reputable resources that we recommend for supplementing your learning about qualitative methods.
Dr Elena GR is a psychologist and counsellor who offers regular workshops and training in interpretative phenomenological analysis and comes highly recommended, having helped out many IPA students.
Birkbeck, University of London is the home of IPA and has a great resources page.
The IPA groups.io group is a great place to discuss problems and get advice from other IPA students.
For all your thematic analysis needs, check out Braun and Clarke's comprehensive page
If you're using a computer program to analyse your qualitative data and are feeling baffled by it, this page can help
The ARC qualitative network group encourages debate and discussion about the place of qualitative research in health research, its core concepts and methods in a dynamic and supportive atmosphere
If you're undertaking a Grounded Theory project, Grounded Theory Online is an excellent resource for courses and mentoring. Johanna herself attended a GT Online two day workshop and came away with a head full of ideas thanks to the excellent teaching.
