Responsibilities of Authors & Reviewers

The Dyke 

The Dyke is committed to upholding the highest standards of scholarly integrity, transparency, and ethical publishing. This statement outlines the responsibilities of authors, reviewers, and editors, and defines the procedures followed in cases of research misconduct. The journal adheres to the guidelines set by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting to The Dyke agree to:

  • Originality: Submit only original work that has not been previously published or concurrently submitted elsewhere. All sources must be properly cited.
  • Authorship: Ensure that all listed authors have made substantial contributions to the research and writing, and that no eligible contributors are omitted.
  • Accuracy: Present data honestly and accurately, with no fabrication, falsification, or misrepresentation.
  • Plagiarism: Avoid all forms of plagiarism, including self-plagiarism. All manuscripts are screened for originality.
  • Conflict of Interest: Disclose any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that could influence the research.
  • Ethical Research: Where applicable, provide evidence of ethical approval for studies involving human participants or sensitive data.
  • Revisions and Corrections: Respond promptly and constructively to reviewer comments, and notify the journal of significant post-publication errors.

2. Responsibilities of Reviewers

Peer reviewers for The Dyke are expected to:

  • Confidentiality: Treat all manuscripts as confidential and not share or discuss them outside the review process.
  • Objectivity: Provide fair, constructive, and evidence-based feedback without personal bias or inappropriate language.
  • Timeliness: Complete reviews within the agreed timeframe or notify the editor if unable to do so.
  • Conflict of Interest: Declare any competing interests and decline to review where a conflict exists.
  • Ethical Vigilance: Alert the editor to suspected plagiarism, duplicate publication, or unethical research.

3. Research Misconduct Procedures

The Dyke defines misconduct to include, but not be limited to: plagiarism, data manipulation, redundant publication, authorship fraud, and ethical violations in research.

  • Initial Assessment: Allegations are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief. Authors may be asked to respond in writing.
  • Investigation: Serious concerns are referred to the author’s institution or funding body, in accordance with COPE procedures.
  • Outcomes: Proven misconduct may result in rejection or retraction, formal notifications to institutions, and a ban on future submissions.
  • Transparency: The journal will publicly issue corrections or retractions as required to maintain the scholarly record.

4. Ethical Oversight

The Dyke follows COPE’s principles and best practices and is committed to continuous improvement in ethical publishing. Authors, reviewers, and editors are encouraged to consult COPE resources for further guidance.