Plagiarism Policy

The Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Disorders (JNND) enforces a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism. Upholding the highest standards of academic integrity, JNND ensures that all manuscripts undergo rigorous plagiarism checks before acceptance for peer review or publication.

Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism involves the use of another person’s work, ideas, or words without appropriate acknowledgment. This includes:

  • Copying text verbatim without citation
  • Paraphrasing ideas without credit
  • Self-plagiarism (reusing previously published work without disclosure)
  • Image or data manipulation without permission or proper acknowledgment
  • Duplicate or redundant publication across journals

Plagiarism Screening Process

All submissions to JNND are screened using advanced plagiarism detection software (e.g., iThenticate, Turnitin). The editorial team evaluates similarity reports to distinguish legitimate overlap (e.g., methods, citations) from unethical duplication.

Similarity Thresholds

  • Acceptable: Minor overlap (<15%) limited to methods, references, and commonly used terminology.
  • Questionable: Moderate overlap (15–25%) requiring author clarification or revision.
  • Unacceptable: Significant overlap (>25%) leading to rejection or withdrawal of the manuscript.

JNND adheres strictly to COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines in addressing plagiarism. All suspected cases are investigated with fairness and confidentiality.

Consequences of Plagiarism

  • Immediate rejection of the manuscript.
  • Notification to authors’ affiliated institutions.
  • Ban on future submissions from offending authors (in severe cases).
  • Retraction of published articles discovered to contain plagiarized material.

Author Responsibilities

  • Ensure originality of submitted work.
  • Cite all sources accurately and comprehensively.
  • Disclose prior publication or simultaneous submission of related work.
  • Retain raw data and provide it upon request for verification.

Editorial and Reviewer Responsibilities

  • Screen manuscripts for potential plagiarism before peer review.
  • Maintain confidentiality during investigations.
  • Report suspected misconduct according to COPE flowcharts.

Corrective Measures

If plagiarism is detected post-publication, corrective actions include:

  • Publishing an erratum or corrigendum for minor overlap.
  • Issuing a retraction for major ethical violations.
  • Posting an expression of concern while investigations are ongoing.

FAQs

What happens if self-plagiarism is detected?

Authors may be asked to revise manuscripts with duplicate text or clarify citations. Severe cases lead to rejection.

Is plagiarism allowed in figures or images?

No. Figures and images must be original or used with permission and proper attribution.

Can overlapping ideas be considered plagiarism?

Not if they are properly cited. Plagiarism arises when credit is not given to the original source.