Plagiarism Policy

Purpose and Scope

The Tamil Psychiatry Journal (TPJ) is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and publication ethics.

Plagiarism — in any form — constitutes a serious ethical violation and undermines the credibility of scholarly publishing.

This policy applies to all submissions, including research articles, reviews, case reports, short communications, letters, and editorials.

It is formulated in accordance with international ethical frameworks set forth by:

  • COPE – Committee on Publication Ethics
  • ICMJE – International Committee of Medical Journal Editors
  • CSE – Council of Science Editors

Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as the unauthorized use, reproduction, or close imitation of another author’s language, ideas, data, or findings without appropriate acknowledgment.

It includes, but is not limited to, the following forms:

  • Direct plagiarism: Copying text verbatim without quotation marks or citation.
  • Mosaic plagiarism (patchwriting): Rephrasing or combining phrases and ideas from different sources without adequate paraphrasing or citation.
  • Self-plagiarism: Republishing one’s own previously published work (in part or whole) without disclosure or proper citation.
  • Image or data plagiarism: Using tables, figures, or datasets created by others without permission or acknowledgment.
  • Unattributed translation: Translating content from another language and presenting it as original work.

Detection and Screening

All manuscripts submitted to TPJ undergo plagiarism screening using recognized detection software.

The similarity index report is reviewed by the Editorial Office prior to peer review.

  • Manuscripts exceeding this threshold, or showing patterns of textual copying, will be subject to further editorial investigation.

Handling of Plagiarism

a. Minor Overlap (Unintentional Plagiarism)

In cases where limited or inadvertent overlap is detected (e.g., improper citation or minor copying of methods):

  • The authors will be notified and asked for clarification.
  • The manuscript will be returned for correction and proper attribution.
  • The case will be documented for editorial monitoring.

b. Major Plagiarism (Intentional or Extensive Copying)

If significant textual, visual, or data duplication is identified:

  • The manuscript will be rejected immediately.
  • The corresponding author will receive a detailed plagiarism report.
  • The author’s institution or funding agency may be notified, following COPE procedures.
  • If plagiarism is discovered after publication, the article will be retracted, and a retraction notice will be issued on the journal’s website and in indexing databases.

c. Self-Plagiarism or Duplicate Publication

If authors reuse their own previously published material without proper reference or disclosure:

  • The manuscript may be rejected or returned for correction.
  • If the overlap is minor (e.g., reuse of standard methods), proper citation and rewording will be required.
  • Duplicate or redundant publications will result in article retraction and possible sanctions.

Post-Publication Plagiarism

If plagiarism is detected after publication, the editorial board will initiate a formal investigation following COPE flowcharts.

Depending on the outcome:

  • A correction or retraction will be published; or
  • An editorial expression of concern will be issued if the investigation is ongoing.

All cases will be recorded to ensure transparency and prevent recurrence.

Responsibilities

  • Authors: Must ensure that all sources are appropriately cited and that the submitted work is entirely original.
  • Editors: Are responsible for screening manuscripts for plagiarism and initiating appropriate actions when issues are identified.
  • Reviewers: Should promptly report any suspected plagiarism encountered during peer review.
  • Publisher: Supports the editorial board in enforcing plagiarism policies and ensuring transparency in corrective actions.

Ethical and Legal Considerations

  • Plagiarism is both an ethical and a legal violation.
  • Confirmed cases may also constitute copyright infringement.
  • TPJ reserves the right to inform relevant institutions, funders, or professional regulatory bodies of confirmed cases.
  • All investigations will be conducted with confidentiality, fairness, and adherence to due process.

Sanctions

Depending on the severity and intent, the following actions may be taken:

  • Written warning to the author(s)
  • Rejection or retraction of the manuscript
  • Temporary or permanent ban on future submissions
  • Notification to the author’s institution or ethics committee

All editorial actions will follow COPE’s flowcharts for managing plagiarism and publication misconduct.

Transparency Statement

This policy is based on the following international guidelines:

  • COPE: Best Practice Guidelines on Publication Ethics
  • ICMJE: Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals (2024)
  • CSE: White Paper on Promoting Integrity in Scientific Journal Publications (2021)

“The Tamil Psychiatry Journal maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism, ensuring the authenticity, originality, and integrity of psychiatric scholarship.”