Plagiarism Policy

The Holistic Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Innovation (HJMRI) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity. Plagiarism is a serious ethical violation and is strictly prohibited. This policy outlines the journal's stance on plagiarism and the procedures for handling suspected plagiarism in submitted manuscripts.

Key Components of the Plagiarism Policy:

  1. Definition of Plagiarism
    Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

    • Copying or paraphrasing someone else's work, including data, text, or ideas, without proper citation.

    • Submitting previously published work or sections of work as new and original.

    • Self-plagiarism, which involves reusing parts of an author’s own previously published work without proper acknowledgment or citation.

    • Improper citation or misleading citations in which the source is misrepresented, or citation is omitted.

  2. Pre-Submission Screening
    Before submission, authors are strongly encouraged to ensure that their work is free from plagiarism. HJMRI uses plagiarism detection software (e.g., Turnitin, iThenticate) to screen all incoming submissions for potential plagiarism. Submissions that contain a high level of similarity with other sources will be flagged for review by the editorial board.

  3. Plagiarism Check During Peer Review
    Upon submission, each manuscript undergoes an initial plagiarism check. If a manuscript is found to have significant similarities to other published works, it will be returned to the author for revision or rejected outright, depending on the severity of the plagiarism. The editorial team will evaluate whether the similarities are due to improper citation or inadvertent error and communicate accordingly.

  4. Handling Suspected Plagiarism
    If plagiarism is detected at any stage during the review, acceptance, or publication process, the following actions may be taken:

    • Minor Plagiarism: If a small section of the manuscript is found to be plagiarized (e.g., a few sentences or paragraphs), the author will be asked to correct the issue by providing proper citations and re-submitting the manuscript.

    • Severe Plagiarism: If significant portions of the manuscript are plagiarized, the manuscript will be rejected, and the author will be informed of the rejection. If the plagiarism is detected after publication, the article will be retracted, and a formal retraction notice will be issued.

  5. Consequences of Plagiarism
    Authors found to have committed plagiarism, whether during submission, peer review, or after publication, will face the following consequences:

    • Immediate rejection or retraction of the manuscript.

    • The authors may be banned from submitting to HJMRI for a specified period or permanently.

    • A formal retraction notice will be published, indicating the reason for the retraction due to plagiarism.

    • The author’s institution may be notified, and they may face disciplinary action based on the severity of the plagiarism.

  6. Ethical Standards for Authors
    Authors are required to:

    • Ensure that all sources used in the preparation of their manuscript are properly cited and referenced.

    • Acknowledge all contributions to the research, including data sources, authorship, and financial support.

    • Provide transparency in presenting data, ensuring that results and findings are original and have not been manipulated or misrepresented.

  7. Role of Reviewers and Editors
    Reviewers and editors are expected to:

    • Report any suspected plagiarism or improper citation practices.

    • Maintain confidentiality about the manuscript contents and avoid using the information for personal or professional gain.

    • Assist in identifying potential plagiarism issues during the review process, especially with regard to previously published work.

  8. Appeal Process
    If an author disagrees with the plagiarism decision made by the editorial board, they may appeal the decision by submitting a formal request to the journal's editorial team. The appeal will be reviewed by an independent committee of senior editors and, if necessary, external experts. The final decision will be communicated to the author.

  9. Educational Approach
    HJMRI believes in the importance of education and awareness about plagiarism. As such, the journal provides resources for authors on how to properly cite sources, avoid plagiarism, and maintain academic integrity throughout their research and writing processes.