Plagiarism Policy
Research & Reviews: A Journal of Drug Design & Discovery
Last updated: 01 Sep 2024
Research & Reviews: A Journal of Drug Design & Discovery is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and ethical publishing. Plagiarism is a serious offense, and all allegations are investigated with fairness and transparency.
What is Plagiarism?
Definition & Forms
Using another's words, ideas, or work without proper attribution, presenting them as one's own.
- Direct plagiarism: Verbatim copying without quotation marks or citation.
- Paraphrasing without attribution: Rewriting ideas without crediting the source.
- Unacknowledged sources: Missing citations for information, data, or concepts.
- Self-plagiarism: Reusing one’s own published work without citation or permission.
- Incomplete/incorrect citations: Inaccurate details that obscure the original source.
Plagiarism Prevention
Similarity Checking & Thresholds
Research & Reviews: A Journal of Drug Design & Discovery uses Quetext to detect overlapping or similar text across web and scholarly databases. Similarity reports are scrutinized according to Editorial Policies.
- Overall similarity guideline: up to 11% considered for further review.
- Single-source limit: up to 5% from any one source (see “Low Text Similarity”).
Types of Plagiarism (Indicators)
Common Patterns
- Reproduction of others’ words, ideas, or findings without acknowledgment.
- Text recycling (self-plagiarism) without citation.
- Poor paraphrasing that only swaps words or keeps structure.
- Verbatim copying without quotation marks and citation.
- Improper paraphrase even with a citation (neither clearly paraphrased nor quoted).
- High similarity in sections that can be rephrased (e.g., Abstract/Intro/Discussion); technical terms may be exceptions.
Acceptance Criteria
Scholarly & Ethical Requirements
- Plagiarized content: less than 10% as per UGC and relevant authorities.
- Original, significant, and methodologically sound contributions.
- Clear writing, logical structure, and audience suitability.
- Proper ethics: source citation, COI disclosure, subject protections.
- Scope alignment and formatting compliance.
Acceptable Referencing & Citation
Best Practices
- Follow a recognized style (APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard) consistently.
- Use in-text citations with author, year, and page for quotes.
- Provide complete references (authors, title, venue, year, pages).
- Ensure accuracy/consistency; attribute ideas even when paraphrased.
Procedures for Investigating Plagiarism
Initial Assessment
- Screen allegations to judge validity/severity.
- Review originals, suspect text, and evidence of overlap.
Document Examination
- Compare with sources using tools (e.g., Quetext, Turnitin/iThenticate).
- Assess verbatim copying, paraphrase quality, and citation issues.
Author Response & Expert Review
- Invite authors to respond, provide notes/drafts/source records.
- Consult field experts for complex cases.
Decision & Sanctions
- Outcomes may include rejection, revision, retraction, or penalties.
When Detected Before/After Publication
Plagiarism in Published Manuscripts
After investigation and EIC approval, plagiarized articles are retracted with a Retraction Note linked to the original record and a visible pre-screen notice on the article page/PDF.
Low Text Similarity (Single-Source Check)
Content Tracking catches cases with low overall similarity but high single-source overlap. Single-source limit: 5%. Above this, authors must paraphrase and cite properly.
High Text Similarity (Edge Cases)
Overall similarity may be <20% yet 15% from a single source, which exceeds the single-source limit. Authors should thoroughly rephrase and cite to avoid infringement.
Fabricating & Stating False Information
Post-publication notices are issued for false information or fabricated data/images. Offending articles are retracted and sanctions may apply.
Non-Identifiable Images
Anonymous images (e.g., X-rays, slides) that do not identify individuals may not require consent; however, simple eye-bars or blurring are not acceptable substitutes when identification risk exists.
Errata & Corrections
Readers and authors should notify the EIC of errors in names, affiliations, or content. Appropriate corrections/errata will be issued.
Article Retraction — Implementation
- Retraction note titled “Retraction: [article title]” published in the next issue and TOC.
- Approved by the Editor-in-Chief; links to original preserved.
- Warning screen precedes the electronic article; PDF watermarked “Retracted”.
Note: See the comprehensive Article Retraction Policy for details.
Concurrent Publication / Simultaneous Submission
Policy
Manuscripts must be original, not previously published, and not under review elsewhere. Violations may trigger rejection, sanctions, or legal action.
Important: Simultaneous submission is a serious breach of publication ethics.
Responsibilities
Authors
- Originality: Submit only original work; cite and reference all sources.
- Attribution: Acknowledge ideas, quotations, and paraphrases accurately.
- Citation integrity: Use the required style consistently and correctly.
- Text-matching tools: Consider pre-checks (e.g., Quetext, Turnitin) before submission.
- Ethical compliance: Follow journal policies, disclose COIs, obtain permissions.
Reviewers
- Detection: Flag suspected overlap; rely on expertise and available tools.
- Alert editors: Provide specific evidence to the editor promptly.
- Confidentiality: Keep manuscript and concerns confidential.
- Constructive feedback: Outline extent of issues and recommend actions.
- Uphold integrity: Recommend rejection where plagiarism cannot be resolved.
Appeals Process
Submission & Review
- Submit a formal appeal with grounds and supporting documents within the stated window.
- An impartial body (committee/ombudsperson) reviews evidence from all parties.
Decision & Communication
- Outcome may uphold, reverse, or modify the original decision.
- Final decision and rationale are communicated transparently to all parties.
Quick Resources
Key Takeaways
Maximum Overall Similarity (guideline)
Considered for publication screening
Single Source Limit
Above this, paraphrase & cite
Screened with Quetext
Database & web-scale checks
Need Help or Have Questions?
If you have questions about this policy or academic integrity, contact us.
Phone Support
Office: (+91) 0120-4781-200, 9218093673
Mobile: (+91) 981-007-8958, (+91) 966-7725-932
Important Notice
Research & Reviews: A Journal of Drug Design & Discovery enforces the highest publication ethics. Consequences for plagiarism may include:
- Immediate rejection or retraction
- Submission bans and institutional notification
- Legal action in cases of copyright infringement
Authors should use detection tools and follow citation best practices before submission.
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