# Editing an adult student's paper -- ethical?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/editing-an-adult-students-paper-ethical/754034>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [May 5, 2016, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/editing-an-adult-students-paper-ethical/754034 "2016-05-05T23:47:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/editing-an-adult-students-paper-ethical/754034/41 "2016-05-12T21:13:37Z")

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I copy-edited my mother’s exit exam - which was essentially a thesis - when she got her Master of Social Work. Just corrected some errors and suggested constructions I thought worked better.

Good thing I did, because I found one instance where she inadvertently spelled out her case study client’s full surname, which is a HIPAA violation and would have been a black mark against her.

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