Re: Academic integrity and plagiarism

Sir,

We read the publication on ‘Academic integrity and plagiarism’ with a great interest.[[1]] Kadam noted that ‘Institutions and authors should have an easy access to good screening software for manuscripts. The responsibility of submitting an unblemished manuscript rests with the authors, researchers and guides. Senior authors cannot absolve themselves from the responsibilities’.[[1]] We agree with this statement. Indeed, the responsibility of the authors regarding the originality of the manuscript is very important. The use of screening software for plagiarism might be helpful, but the real reason remains an unethical and dishonest plagiarist. The software can play no role if there is no ethical mind of the practitioner. In many developing countries, the senior authors or administrators might be the plagiarists, but they usually get no punishment despite the plagiarisms are identified.[[2]] The neglected unethical problem by the institute is common, and there should be the role of the academic society against the unwanted plagiarism behaviour. Prevention of plagiarism should start with early education of newcomers and medical students. It is important to demonstrate a “bad case” to the newcomers and they should be trained to recognize such problems so that, they refrain from such act in future.

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• REFERENCES

• 1 Kadam D. Academic integrity and plagiarism: The new regulations in India. Indian J Plast Surg 2018; 51: 109-10
• 2 Wiwanitkit V. Plagiarism, management, journal retraction and response by author's institute. Saudi J Anaesth 2013; 7: 223