Plagiarism Policy
The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology (IJCEO) enforces a strict plagiarism policy to preserve academic integrity and protect the originality of scientific research. Plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional, undermines the credibility of authors, editors, and the scientific community. IJCEO follows the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) in handling plagiarism cases.
Definition of Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the appropriation of another author’s ideas, processes, results, or words without appropriate acknowledgment. It includes:
- Direct Plagiarism: Copying text verbatim without citation.
- Mosaic Plagiarism: Borrowing phrases from different sources and combining them without acknowledgment.
- Self-Plagiarism: Republishing one’s own previously published work without disclosure or citation.
- Data Plagiarism: Using data, images, or figures from another source without permission or acknowledgment.
Screening Process
All manuscripts submitted to IJCEO are screened for plagiarism using advanced similarity detection tools (e.g., iThenticate, Turnitin). Similarity reports are reviewed by editors before peer review begins.
Similarity Threshold: Manuscripts with a similarity index above 15–20% (excluding references and commonly used phrases) are subject to further scrutiny. Excessive overlap may lead to rejection before peer review.
Author Responsibilities
- Ensure originality of submitted manuscripts.
- Provide proper citations and references for all sources used.
- Disclose any prior dissemination of the work (e.g., conference proceedings, preprints).
- Retain raw data and provide them upon request for verification.
Editorial Responsibilities
Editors are responsible for evaluating plagiarism reports, making fair decisions, and communicating outcomes transparently to authors. Suspected cases are investigated according to COPE guidelines, and final decisions rest with the Editor-in-Chief.
Consequences of Plagiarism
- Before Publication: Manuscripts may be rejected outright if plagiarism is detected during submission or peer review.
- After Publication: Published articles with confirmed plagiarism may be retracted, with notices explaining the reasons for retraction.
- Sanctions: Authors found guilty of plagiarism may be barred from submitting to IJCEO for a specified period, and institutions may be notified.
Handling Self-Plagiarism
Authors must avoid reusing substantial parts of their previously published work. However, limited text reuse (e.g., methods descriptions) may be acceptable if properly cited and disclosed. Duplicate submission to multiple journals is strictly prohibited.
Appeals and Clarifications
Authors may appeal plagiarism-related decisions by providing clarifications, additional references, or evidence of originality. Appeals are reviewed by the editorial board, whose decision is final.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if minor plagiarism is found?
Minor issues may result in a request for revision and proper citation before peer review continues.
Does IJCEO accept preprints?
Yes. Preprints posted on recognized servers (e.g., arXiv, medRxiv, bioRxiv) are not considered plagiarism, provided they are cited in the manuscript.
How does IJCEO detect plagiarism?
Through similarity-checking software and manual editorial assessment of overlap reports.