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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