The GMB Case Reports upholds the highest standards of academic integrity and scientific publishing. Plagiarism is a serious violation of these principles, and GMB Case Reports is committed to preventing, detecting, and addressing instances of plagiarism in all submitted manuscripts. This policy outlines the journal’s stance on plagiarism, the process for detection, and the consequences for authors who submit plagiarized content.
1. Definition of Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of using another author’s ideas, words, data, or findings without proper acknowledgment or permission. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Direct Plagiarism: Copying verbatim text from another source without proper citation.
- Self-Plagiarism: Reusing significant portions of one’s own previously published work without proper attribution (duplicate publication).
- Mosaic Plagiarism: Paraphrasing someone else’s work without crediting the original source, even if small portions of text are altered.
- Data Plagiarism: Presenting another researcher’s data or research findings as one’s own without permission or proper citation.
2. Plagiarism Detection Process
GJMBC uses industry-standard plagiarism detection tools to screen all submitted manuscripts for similarity with previously published works. Every manuscript is subjected to a plagiarism check during the editorial review process. This includes:
- Automated Screening: Manuscripts are checked using plagiarism detection software to identify similarities with published articles, books, theses, websites, and other sources.
- Manual Review: Editors and reviewers may further investigate flagged sections for context and accuracy to ensure that the use of sources aligns with academic standards.
3. Acceptable Similarity Threshold
While some degree of similarity is expected in scientific writing (e.g., common terminology, cited references), GMB Case Reports has established the following guidelines:
- Low-Level Similarity (≤ 15%): If the similarity index is below 15%, the manuscript may proceed to peer review. Editors will determine if the overlapping content is properly cited and justified.
- Moderate-Level Similarity (15% - 30%): Manuscripts with moderate similarity will be carefully reviewed. Authors may be asked to revise sections of the text, correct citations, or remove overlapping content.
- High-Level Similarity (> 30%): Manuscripts with a high level of similarity will be flagged for potential plagiarism and may be rejected outright or returned to the authors for significant revision.
4. Responsibilities of Authors
Authors are responsible for ensuring the originality of their work and properly citing all sources. This includes:
- Providing full and accurate references for all quoted, paraphrased, or summarized material from other sources.
- Avoiding excessive reliance on previously published material, even with citation, to ensure that the manuscript contributes new knowledge to the field.
- Disclosing any prior publication of the manuscript’s content, including conference proceedings, preprints, or institutional repositories.
5. Consequences of Plagiarism
If plagiarism is detected at any stage (before or after publication), GMB Case Reports will take the following actions based on the severity of the case:
Before Publication:
- Minor Overlap: Authors will be notified and required to revise the manuscript to properly attribute sources or remove plagiarized content.
- Major Plagiarism: The manuscript will be rejected, and the authors will be informed of the journal’s findings. Repeated offenses may lead to a permanent ban from submitting to GJMBC.
After Publication:
- Retraction: If plagiarism is discovered after an article has been published, GMB Case Reports will issue a retraction notice. The article will be removed from the journal’s online platform, and a formal retraction statement will be published in its place.
- Public Notification: In cases of severe plagiarism, GMB Case Reports may inform the authors’ affiliated institutions and relevant authorities of the ethical violation.
6. How to Avoid Plagiarism
Authors are advised to follow these best practices to avoid plagiarism:
- Proper Citation: Always give full credit to the original authors when using their ideas, data, or text. Ensure that direct quotations are clearly marked and appropriately referenced.
- Paraphrasing: When paraphrasing, ensure that the original meaning is preserved but expressed in your own words. Avoid copying phrases or sentences without attribution.
- Self-Checking: Authors should use plagiarism detection tools to check their manuscripts for unintentional plagiarism before submission.
7. Appeals Process
Authors who believe their manuscript has been wrongly flagged for plagiarism can appeal the decision by providing a written explanation and supporting evidence. Appeals will be reviewed by the journal’s editorial board, and a final decision will be made.
8. Ethical Commitment
GJMBC is committed to fostering a culture of honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior in scientific publishing. By submitting a manuscript, authors affirm that their work is original and free of plagiarism, and that they have adhered to all relevant ethical guidelines.
By adhering to this policy, GMB Case Reports seeks to maintain the integrity and quality of the scientific record, ensuring that all published works are the result of honest and original research.
