Plagiarism Policy
Introduction
The International Journal of Clinical Anesthesia and Research (IJCAR) maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of plagiarism, duplication, and unethical academic behavior. To ensure the integrity and originality of submitted manuscripts, all articles undergo a thorough similarity check using iThenticate or Turnitin software before entering the peer-review process.
“Plagiarism is a violation of academic integrity — IJCAR enforces strict measures to maintain originality in research.”
Definition of Plagiarism
Plagiarism involves the use of another’s ideas, data, images, or text without proper acknowledgment or citation. This includes:
- Direct Plagiarism: Copying text verbatim without quotation or citation.
- Self-Plagiarism: Republishing one’s previous work without disclosure or citation.
- Mosaic Plagiarism: Borrowing phrases from various sources without adequate credit.
- Paraphrasing without Attribution: Rewriting someone else’s ideas without citing the source.
- Image/Data Plagiarism: Using figures, charts, or datasets without permission or acknowledgment.
Plagiarism Detection and Screening Process
Every manuscript submitted to IJCAR is screened using plagiarism detection tools to ensure originality.
| Stage | Action | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Check | Manuscripts scanned using iThenticate or Turnitin software. | Editorial Office |
| Peer Review Stage | Reports with high similarity are flagged for re-evaluation. | Handling Editor |
| Post-Acceptance | Final review to confirm originality before publication. | Production Team |
Acceptable Similarity Index
The acceptable similarity threshold for IJCAR is generally below 15% excluding references, methods, and standard terminology. However, each manuscript is judged on context, and even lower similarity may be required for certain sections such as Abstracts or Discussions.
Consequences of Plagiarism
Manuscripts found to contain plagiarized material are subject to the following actions:
- Immediate rejection of the submission.
- Notification to all co-authors and the corresponding author’s institution.
- Permanent blacklisting of the authors in severe cases.
- Retraction of published articles found to be plagiarized post-publication.
Handling Self-Plagiarism
Reuse of previously published text or figures by the same author without proper citation is treated as self-plagiarism. Authors must disclose any overlapping content at the time of submission.
Ethical Responsibilities of Authors
- Ensure all cited works are properly acknowledged.
- Use plagiarism detection tools before submission to verify originality.
- Declare reused text or data from previous works transparently.
- Obtain permissions for all third-party materials (images, tables, etc.).
Editorial Handling of Suspected Plagiarism
| Situation | Editorial Action |
|---|---|
| Minor Overlap (≤15%) | Authors are notified to revise and resubmit with corrections. |
| Moderate Overlap (16–25%) | Manuscript returned for major revision and rescreening. |
| Major Overlap (>25%) | Immediate rejection and institutional notification. |
Post-Publication Plagiarism
If plagiarism is detected after publication, IJCAR follows COPE Retraction Guidelines:
- Publication of an official Retraction Notice on the journal website.
- Blacklisting of responsible authors for future submissions.
- Notification to institutional authorities or funding bodies.
Compliance and Ethics Framework
IJCAR’s plagiarism policy aligns with international standards and best practices from:
- Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
- International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)
- World Association of Medical Editors (WAME)
Contact Information
For plagiarism-related queries or reports:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.anesthesiaresjournal.com