Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism Policy – Aitoz Multidisciplinary Review (AMR)

The Aitoz Multidisciplinary Review (AMR) upholds the highest standards of academic integrity and strictly prohibits plagiarism in any form. The journal follows the Higher Education Commission (HEC) plagiarism policy and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines to ensure originality and ethical research practices.

1. Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

  • Direct plagiarism: Copying text, images, or data from another source without proper citation.
  • Self-plagiarism (redundant publication): Republishing one’s own previously published work without proper citation or justification.
  • Mosaic plagiarism: Paraphrasing another author's work too closely while maintaining the original structure or ideas without acknowledgment.
  • Uncredited translation: Translating and using work from another language without appropriate citation.

2. Acceptable Similarity Index

  • AMR uses Turnitin for plagiarism detection.
  • Acceptable similarity index: Less than 15% (excluding references and common phrases).
  • If similarity is above 15%, the manuscript is sent back for revision.
  • Above 25% similarity leads to immediate rejection.

3. Plagiarism Detection Process

  • All submissions undergo an initial plagiarism screening during the desk review.
  • If plagiarism is detected at any stage (before or after publication), the authors will be notified and required to provide clarification or revise the manuscript.
  • If plagiarism is confirmed and not corrected, the manuscript will be rejected, or the published article will be retracted.

4. Consequences of Plagiarism

Before Publication

  • Minor Plagiarism (≤15%): Authors must revise and properly cite sources.
  • Moderate Plagiarism (15%–25%): The manuscript is returned for revision with strict warnings.
  • Severe Plagiarism (>25%): Immediate rejection and blacklisting of authors.

After Publication

  • If plagiarism is discovered after publication:
    • A Correction Notice may be issued for minor plagiarism.
    • A Retraction Notice will be published for severe cases, and the article will be removed from the journal’s database.
    • The author’s institution and relevant authorities may be informed.

5. Author Responsibilities

Authors must:

  • Ensure their work is original and properly cited.
  • Provide proper attribution for all quoted, paraphrased, or adapted content.
  • Not submit the same manuscript to multiple journals (redundant publication).
  • Obtain permission for using third-party copyrighted materials.

6. Editorial and Reviewer Responsibilities

  • Editors and reviewers must report any suspected plagiarism.
  • Manuscripts with potential plagiarism are thoroughly investigated before any decision is made.
  • Cases of research misconduct are handled following COPE and HEC guidelines.

7. Appeals and Disputes

Authors can appeal plagiarism decisions by submitting a formal written explanation to the editorial office. The Editorial Board will conduct a fair review before making a final decision.

AMR is committed to maintaining academic integrity and originality in scholarly publishing. Any violation of this policy will be addressed strictly and transparently.