Plagiarism Policy

The Journal of Translational Research is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity and ethical conduct in all aspects of our publishing process. Our Plagiarism Policy ensures that all submitted manuscripts are original, properly cited, and free from any form of plagiarism or unethical authorship practices.

1. Definition of Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s ideas, words, data, or work without proper acknowledgment. It can take several forms, including, but not limited to:

  • Direct Plagiarism: Copying someone else’s text or ideas verbatim without citation.
  • Paraphrasing Plagiarism: Rewriting someone else’s ideas or findings without proper citation, even if the words are altered.
  • Self-Plagiarism: Submitting previously published or self-written content without proper acknowledgment, or submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously.
  • Data Fabrication or Falsification: Manipulating or creating false data and presenting it as original research.
  • Unacknowledged Borrowing: Using someone else’s figures, tables, or images without permission or proper citation.

2. Prevention and Detection of Plagiarism:

  • Plagiarism Screening: All submitted manuscripts to the Journal of Translational Research undergo a thorough plagiarism detection process. We use advanced plagiarism detection tools to identify any potential instances of plagiarism. These tools compare the submitted manuscript against a wide range of databases, including published research articles and online sources.
  • Author Responsibility: Authors are responsible for ensuring that their work is free of plagiarism and that all sources are properly cited. This includes providing accurate references for all ideas, data, figures, tables, and any other material that is not original to the author.

3. Types of Plagiarism and Consequences:

  • Minor Plagiarism: In cases of minor plagiarism, such as improper citation or citation omission, the editorial team may request the author to correct the issue by providing proper citations or revisions. The manuscript may be resubmitted for review after making the necessary changes.
  • Major Plagiarism: If substantial plagiarism is detected, such as extensive copying or presenting someone else’s work as original, the manuscript will be rejected immediately. The authors will be informed of the rejection, and the manuscript will not proceed to peer review or publication.
  • Data Falsification or Fabrication: Manuscripts containing fabricated or falsified data will be immediately rejected. If the manuscript has already been published, the article may be retracted, and a retraction notice will be issued. Authors found guilty of such practices may be banned from submitting to the journal in the future.

4. Handling Self-Plagiarism:

  • Reusing Own Work: Authors must not submit previously published work or parts of their own work without proper citation. Reusing substantial sections of text, data, or findings from a prior publication (including conference papers) without acknowledgment constitutes self-plagiarism. Authors should disclose any previously published material or substantial overlap with their other works.
  • Dual Submissions: Authors are prohibited from submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously. Dual submission is considered unethical and will result in immediate rejection of the manuscript.

5. Ethical Guidelines for Citations:

  • Proper Citation: Authors are expected to cite all relevant sources accurately and completely, including direct quotations, paraphrased ideas, and data from other works. Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism, even if the omission is unintentional.
  • Fair Use of Figures and Tables: Authors must ensure that they have permission to use any third-party figures, tables, or images in their manuscript. Such materials must be properly credited, and permission must be obtained from the original source.

6. Reviewers' Role in Detecting Plagiarism:

  • Ethical Responsibility of Reviewers: Reviewers are encouraged to flag any potential instances of plagiarism or unethical conduct that they encounter during the peer review process. If reviewers suspect plagiarism, data falsification, or other ethical violations, they should immediately report their concerns to the editorial office.
  • Confidentiality: Reviewers must not disclose or use any information from the manuscript for personal gain. They are also required to respect the confidentiality of the review process.

7. Editorial Responsibilities:

  • Fair Decision-Making: Editors of the Journal of Translational Research are responsible for ensuring that all manuscripts submitted to the journal meet high ethical standards, including ensuring the originality of the research. Editors will take immediate action in the event that plagiarism or any ethical breach is identified.
  • Investigation of Allegations: If plagiarism is suspected after a manuscript has been accepted or published, the editorial office will launch a thorough investigation, consulting the involved parties. If plagiarism is confirmed, appropriate corrective actions will be taken, which may include retraction or correction of the published work.

8. Commitment to Ethical Publishing:

The Journal of Translational Research is committed to promoting ethical publishing practices in research and ensuring the integrity of the scientific record. By adhering to this Plagiarism Policy, the journal strives to create a transparent, fair, and reliable publishing environment for authors, readers, and researchers.