ACS Publisher

Plagiarism Complaints

Plagiarism involves the use of another's work without proper attribution and can undermine the trustworthiness and credibility of the research process. At ISRR, we take plagiarism allegations seriously and have established comprehensive guidelines to address such complaints.

Types of Plagiarism

Plagiarism can take several forms, including but not limited to:

  1. Direct Plagiarism: Copying text verbatim from another source without citation.
  2. Mosaic Plagiarism: Piecing together text from various sources without proper attribution.
  3. Self-Plagiarism: Reusing one's own previously published work without disclosure or proper citation.
  4. Paraphrasing Plagiarism: Rewriting another’s work in one's own words without proper citation.
  5. Source-Based Plagiarism: Failing to properly attribute sources of ideas, findings, or phrases.

Handling Plagiarism Complaints

Initial Assessment

Upon receiving a plagiarism complaint, the editorial office conducts an initial assessment to determine the nature and scope of the complaint. This includes:

  1. Reviewing the Complaint: Examining the details of the complaint to understand the specific type of plagiarism being alleged.
  2. Gathering Initial Information: Collecting preliminary information from the complainant, such as the suspected plagiarized sections, the original sources, and any supporting evidence.

The initial assessment helps establish whether the complaint falls within the scope of publishing ethics and if it requires a formal investigation.

Confidentiality and Anonymity

Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the process to protect the identities of all parties involved. If the complainant wishes to remain anonymous, ISRR will respect this request while ensuring a fair and thorough investigation.

Notification and Response

If the initial assessment indicates that the plagiarism complaint warrants further investigation, the following steps will be taken:

  1. Notification of Relevant Parties: The corresponding author of the publication in question will be informed about the complaint and requested to provide a response within a specified timeframe.
  2. Communication with All Authors: All listed authors will be notified of the complaint and asked to provide their perspectives and any relevant documentation regarding their contributions to the manuscript.

The goal of this step is to gather comprehensive information from all parties involved to understand the circumstances surrounding the plagiarism allegation.

Formation of an Investigation Committee

To ensure an impartial and thorough investigation, a committee of experts with no conflicts of interest in the case will be formed. This committee will be responsible for reviewing all evidence and making a determination regarding the plagiarism complaint.

Evidence Collection

The investigation committee will gather all relevant documents, communications, and data related to the plagiarism complaint. This may involve:

  1. Using Plagiarism Detection Software: Employing plagiarism detection software to identify the extent of the overlap between the submitted manuscript and other sources.
  2. Comparing Texts: Manually comparing the suspected plagiarized sections with the original sources to verify the extent and nature of the plagiarism.
  3. Collecting Statements: Requesting statements from all authors describing their understanding of the use of sources and citations in the manuscript.
  4. Examining Correspondence: Reviewing email communications and other correspondence between authors to understand the decision-making process regarding the use of sources and citations.

Decision-Making Process

The investigation committee will review all collected evidence and statements to determine the validity of the plagiarism complaint. The decision-making process includes:

  1. Evaluation of Evidence: Assessing the credibility and weight of the evidence presented. This involves cross-referencing texts, examining manuscript drafts, and reviewing correspondence to verify the use of sources.
  2. Consensus Building: Reaching a consensus on whether the plagiarism complaint is substantiated or unsubstantiated. The committee will consider the extent of the overlap, the nature of the use of sources, and the context of the citations.
  3. Recommendation of Actions: Recommending appropriate actions based on the findings, which may include corrections to the manuscript, retractions, or other measures.

Communication of Findings

The findings of the investigation will be communicated to all relevant parties, including the complainant and the authors. This communication will include:

  1. Summary of Findings: Providing a detailed summary of the investigation's findings and the rationale for the decision.
  2. Recommended Actions: Describing any recommended actions and the steps that will be taken to implement them. This may include issuing corrections or retractions in the journal.
  3. Appeal Process: Informing the parties about the process for appealing the decision, if applicable.

Implementation of Actions

The recommended actions will be implemented promptly to address the plagiarism complaint and prevent future occurrences. This may involve:

  1. Corrections to Manuscript: Issuing a correction to the manuscript in the journal if changes are warranted. This ensures that all sources are properly attributed and the integrity of the research is maintained.
  2. Retractions: Retracting the paper if the plagiarism is extensive and impacts the integrity of the research. This step is taken only in cases where the plagiarism significantly affects the validity of the research findings.
  3. Policy Changes: Implementing changes to editorial policies or procedures to prevent similar issues in the future. This may include revising guidelines on plagiarism detection and attribution of sources.
  4. Disciplinary Actions: Taking disciplinary actions against individuals found to have engaged in plagiarism. This may include a ban on future submissions to the journal for a specified period.

Public Notification

In cases where the plagiarism significantly affects the integrity of the research, a public notification may be issued. This notification will inform the academic community about the plagiarism and the actions taken to address it. The notification will be published in an appropriate section of the journal to ensure transparency and accountability.

Institutional Notification

The institutions affiliated with the authors involved in the plagiarism will be informed about the findings and actions taken. This step ensures that the institutions are aware of the plagiarism issue and can take appropriate measures to address it within their own policies and procedures.

Documentation and Reporting

All steps of the investigation process will be thoroughly documented to ensure transparency and accountability. This documentation includes:

  1. Records of Communication: Keeping detailed records of all communications related to the plagiarism complaint. This includes emails, letters, and meeting notes.
  2. Investigation Reports: Maintaining comprehensive reports of the investigation findings and decisions. These reports will be stored securely and may be referenced in future cases to ensure consistency in handling plagiarism complaints.
  3. Annual Reporting: Including summaries of plagiarism complaints and their resolutions in annual reports to the journal's editorial board. This helps to monitor trends in plagiarism and evaluate the effectiveness of the journal's policies and procedures.

Prevention and Education

To prevent plagiarism and promote ethical research practices, ISRR will implement educational initiatives for authors, reviewers, and editors. These initiatives may include:

  1. Plagiarism Workshops: Conducting workshops and seminars on ethical research practices and the proper attribution of sources. These workshops will provide guidance on how to avoid plagiarism and ensure proper citation.
  2. Guidelines and Resources: Providing clear guidelines and resources on plagiarism on the journal's website. This includes detailed explanations of the types of plagiarism and best practices for avoiding it.
  3. Plagiarism Detection Tools: Encouraging authors to use plagiarism detection tools before submitting their manuscripts. This helps to identify and address potential issues early in the process.

Continuous Improvement

ISRR is committed to continuously improving its policies and procedures for handling plagiarism complaints. Regular reviews of the guidelines and feedback from the academic community will be used to refine and enhance the process. This ensures that the journal maintains the highest standards of integrity and transparency in research and publication.

By adhering to these detailed guidelines for handling plagiarism complaints, ISRR aims to uphold the integrity of the research and publication process, ensuring that all sources are properly attributed and that the academic community can trust the validity of the research published in the journal.