Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is the unethical act of copying someone else's prior ideas, processes, results, or words without explicit acknowledgment of the original author and source. Self-plagiarism occurs when an author utilizes a large part of his/her own previously published work without using appropriate references. This can range from getting the same manuscript published in multiple journals to modifying a previously published manuscript with some new data.

The International Journal of Anatomy and Research (IJAR) is a peer-reviewed indexed quarterly publishing print and online journal having ISSN 2321-4287(E) and 2321-8967(P), published since 2013. The journal is strictly against any unethical act of copying or plagiarism in any form. Plagiarism is said to have occurred when large portions of a manuscript have been copied from existing previously published resources.

All manuscripts submitted for publication to International Journal of Anatomy and Research (IJAR) are cross-checked for Similarity Index using the latest plagiarism screening software in the market (iThenticate / CrossCheck). Manuscripts found to be plagiarized during initial stages of review are outrightly rejected and not considered for publication in the journal. We define plagiarism as a case in which a paper reproduces another work with any traces of similarity and without due citation.

In case a manuscript is found to be plagiarized after publication, the Editor-in-Chief will conduct a preliminary investigation, if necessary with the assistance of a dedicated ethics committee constituted for the purpose. If the manuscript is found to be plagiarized beyond acceptable limits, the journal will contact the author's Institute / College / University and Funding Agency, if any. A determination of misconduct will lead International Journal of Anatomy and Research (IJAR) to publish a statement bi-directionally linked online to and from the original paper, noting the plagiarism and providing a reference to the plagiarized material. The paper containing plagiarism will also be watermark-marked on each page of the PDF. Upon determination of the extent of plagiarism, the paper may also be formally retracted.

Types of Plagiarism

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Policy

International Journal of Anatomy and Research (IJAR) enforces strict standards regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Large Language Models (LLMs such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini), and machine learning tools in scientific research and manuscript preparation, adhering directly to guidance from COPE, ICMJE, and WAME.

1. Authorship Criteria & Non-Human AI Status

In accordance with COPE Position Statement on AI Tools, ICMJE Recommendations, and WAME Policy on Chatbots, AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors of any submission. AI software cannot take responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, or legal rights of a manuscript, nor can it manage copyright agreements or declare conflicts of interest.

2. Required Mandatory Disclosure

Authors who utilize generative AI or AI-assisted technologies for drafting text, proofreading, organizing data, or creating figures must explicitly declare such use in both the Methods section and Acknowledgements section of their manuscript. Disclosure must specify:

• The specific AI software name, model version, and developer (e.g., OpenAI ChatGPT-4, Anthropic Claude 3.5);
• The precise purpose and extent of AI assistance (e.g., grammatical refinement, translation, script generation);
• Confirmation that the authors have independently audited and verified all data, citations, and conclusions.

3. Accepted Similarity & AI Text Thresholds

IJAR utilizes advanced AI text detection and similarity tools (iThenticate / CrossCheck) to evaluate submitted manuscripts:

• General Plagiarism Similarity Index: Overall manuscript similarity must remain strictly below 15% (excluding references and standard methods boilerplate). Any individual source match must be under 3%.
• Generative AI Text Threshold: AI assistance is permitted strictly for language polishing and readability. Verbatim machine-generated text or unedited AI output exceeding 10% of the manuscript prose is flagged for mandatory editorial review and potential rejection.
• Synthetic Data & AI Image Fabrication: Generative AI tools must not be used to create, modify, or manipulate anatomical photographs, histological micrographs, or raw research data. The threshold for synthetic/manipulated data is strictly 0%.

4. Peer Reviewer & Editorial Confidentiality

In compliance with COPE and WAME confidentiality directives, peer reviewers and editors are strictly prohibited from uploading submitted manuscripts, figures, or abstracts into public or third-party AI platforms, as doing so violates author confidentiality and proprietary rights.