Clients sometimes underestimate or overestimate word counts. They also sometimes upload the wrong file or forget to include all the files they want reviewed. 

Double-check the word count of an assignment as soon as you accept it, even if you don't plan to start it right away. All word count discrepancies (higher or lower than the initial word count) that are greater than 100 words must be reported immediately; this is one of the responsibilities of the editor. 

You can do this using the file's word count function. Microsoft Word, for example, has a word count feature; if it's a file type that does not include word count, you can copy and paste the text into the Word Count Tool under the Word Count tab in EditorWorks™. If it is not practical to copy and paste the material into the Word Count tool, then contact Customer Service if you suspect a word count discrepancy and ask them to double-check. 

What happens if the client has underestimated the word count by more than 100 words and this underestimation cannot be accounted for by the following?

• Client instructions (e.g., "Please don't check the bibliography" or "please only edit section IV")  

• The presence of references, tables, appendices, etc., the word count of which roughly matches the difference in word count (e.g., the client has forgotten to say, "please don't check the bibliography")

Note: If such a section of text accounts for the discrepancy, exclude this section and edit only the sections that are included in the word count after reporting the issue to Customer Service (who can later add the section and increase the word count, or have the client place a new order, if the client is willing to pay for the additional words). If a section remains excluded, you can indicate in your Editor Notes that the excluded section was not included in the word count and has thus not been revised.

You should immediately report underestimated word count discrepancies by clicking the "Report Issue" button and selecting WRONG WORD COUNT from the drop-down list. A box will appear in which you can enter the corrected word count. There is also space available for additional comments if required. 

If the client has overestimated the word count by more than 100 words, click the "Report Issue" button and select WRONG WORD COUNT from the drop-down list (e.g., the client has indicated that they do not want their references edited, but the references are included in the word count). We will immediately investigate the discrepancy with the client. 

Even if you don't accept an order, please send immediate notice of any word count discrepancies greater than 100 words that you notice, so we can deal with these proactively with the clients. 

Note that deadlines do not change if there is a word count discrepancy unless the document's word count is significantly over the limit for that turnaround time. 

Example: 

A) A client indicates a word count of 8,500 words for a 24 hour order (which has a 10,000 word limit), but the word count is actually 9,369. In this scenario, the deadline will not change, as the new word count is still under the word limit for the 24 hour turnaround time. 

B) A client indicates a word count of 8,500 words for a 24 hour order (which has a 10,000 word limit), but the word count is actually 17,000 words. In this scenario, the deadline will be changed from 24 hours to 48 hours (which has a 20,000 word limit). 

Clients will include/exclude their references on their order. Please refer to the client instructions to determine if a word count change should be completed. If the client has specifically stated in their instructions they do not need their references completed, please contact customer service to make the correction and notify the client. However, if the client has included the references in the word count and does not explicitly state to exclude them, you do not need to adjust the word count. Please complete the references with the order, as the client has paid for the words. If you are unsure, do not hesitate to reach out to our Customer Service staff to review the order for you. 

Last Updated: 09/09/2022