Ethical considerations are paramount for authors submitting to Acta Anglica Tyrnaviensia, a scholarly journal devoted to Anglophone studies. Adherence to these principles ensures the integrity of the research and the scholarly conversation. Here's a breakdown of key ethical considerations for authors:
1. Originality and Plagiarism:
Authorship: Authorship should be limited to those who have made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research. All authors listed should approve the final manuscript. Gift authorship (listing someone who hasn't contributed) and ghost authorship (omitting someone who has) are unethical.
Plagiarism: Submitting work that is not one's own, including paraphrasing without proper attribution, is strictly prohibited. All sources must be properly cited, whether quoted directly or paraphrased. Authors should be meticulous in their notetaking and citation practices. Using plagiarism detection software before submission is highly recommended.
Acta Anglica Tyrnaviensia uses Turnitin plagiarism detector to check submissions for plagiarism. Turnitin is a software that compares submitted documents against a vast database of other documents, including web pages, books, and other academic papers. It highlights any instances of potential plagiarism, allowing editors to review and address them. By using Turnitin, Acta Anglica Tyrnaviensia demonstrates its commitment to publishing original and high-quality research in the field of Anglophone studies.
Self-Plagiarism: Reusing one's own previously published work without proper acknowledgment is also a form of plagiarism. If portions of the manuscript have been published elsewhere, this must be clearly disclosed to the editor. Minor overlap with conference presentations or working papers is generally acceptable but should still be acknowledged.
2. Data Integrity and Transparency:
Data Fabrication and Falsification: Fabricating or falsifying data is a serious ethical breach. All data presented in the manuscript must be genuine and accurately represented.
Data Manipulation: Manipulating data to achieve desired results is also unethical. Authors should present their findings objectively, even if they do not support their initial hypotheses.
Transparency: Authors should be transparent about their research methods and data analysis techniques. Sufficient detail should be provided to allow other researchers to replicate the study. If applicable, authors should disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
3. Dual Submission:
Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously is unethical. Authors should only submit their work to one journal at a time. If the manuscript is rejected, it can then be submitted elsewhere.
4. Authorship Disputes:
Any disputes regarding authorship should be resolved among the authors themselves. The journal's editors can offer guidance but cannot adjudicate authorship disputes. It's crucial to discuss authorship early in the research process to avoid misunderstandings later.
5. Copyright and Permissions:
Authors should ensure that they have the right to publish any material included in their manuscript, including figures and tables. If permission is required from the copyright holder, it is the author's responsibility to obtain it.
6. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest:
Authors should disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may have influenced their research or interpretation of the findings. This includes financial interests, personal relationships, or affiliations with organizations that could benefit from the research.
7. Adherence to Journal Guidelines:
Authors should carefully read and follow the journal's submission guidelines. This includes formatting requirements, length restrictions, and specific instructions for preparing the manuscript.
8. Peer Review:
Authors should be prepared to participate in the peer review process. This includes responding to reviewer comments and revising the manuscript accordingly. Authors should also be willing to review manuscripts for other researchers when asked.
9. Respect for Participants (if applicable):
If the research involves human subjects, authors must ensure that they have obtained informed consent from the participants. The study should be conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines for research involving human subjects. Anonymity and confidentiality should be protected.
10. Responsibility After Publication:
Even after publication, authors have a responsibility to address any questions or concerns about their work. If errors are discovered, authors should promptly notify the journal editor so that a correction or retraction can be published.
By adhering to these ethical guidelines, authors contribute to the integrity and trustworthiness of scholarly publishing in Anglophone studies and maintain the high standards expected by Acta Anglica Tyrnaviansia.