Plagiarism Policy

Introduction

ApexMed – Journal of Health Sciences upholds the highest standards of academic integrity and professional ethics. Plagiarism, in any form, undermines the credibility of scientific research and compromises the trustworthiness of scholarly communication. To ensure the originality and reliability of all published content, ApexMed enforces a strict zero-tolerance plagiarism policy.

Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as the presentation of another person’s ideas, text, images, data, or intellectual output without proper acknowledgment. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Direct Copying: Reproducing content from published or unpublished sources without quotation marks and proper citation.

  • Paraphrasing: Rewriting another author’s work or findings without due credit.

  • Unacknowledged Data Use: Using figures, graphs, tables, or datasets from external sources without appropriate referencing.

  • Self-Plagiarism: Republishing one’s own previously submitted or published work without citation, disclosure, or permission from the prior publisher.

Plagiarism Threshold

  • ApexMed Standard: Manuscripts submitted to ApexMed must not exceed a 10% similarity index.

  • HEC Benchmark (Pakistan): While the Higher Education Commission (HEC) allows up to 19% similarity, ApexMed maintains a stricter limit to encourage excellence and ensure the authenticity of medical research.

Detection and Prevention

  • Plagiarism Detection Tools: All manuscripts are rigorously screened using leading plagiarism detection software (e.g., Turnitin).

  • Author Responsibility: It is the author’s responsibility to ensure that all submitted work is original, properly cited, and free from intellectual property violations.

Handling of Plagiarism

Initial Review

If potential plagiarism is detected, the editorial board conducts a thorough preliminary review to assess the extent and context of similarity.

Verification

The flagged content is cross-checked with original sources. Authors may be asked to explain or provide supporting documentation during this process.

Actions Taken

Type of Plagiarism Editorial Action
Minor (Unintentional citation errors or oversight) Manuscript will be returned for revision and proper citation.
Major (Intentional or extensive copying without credit) Manuscript will be rejected immediately. If already published, the article will be retracted and removed from archives.
Repeated or Severe Offenses Authors will be blacklisted from future submissions. In serious cases, the author’s institution or funding agency may be notified.

Author’s Declaration

All authors must submit a Statement of Originality, affirming that:

  • The manuscript is original.

  • All external sources have been properly cited.

  • The manuscript is not under review elsewhere and has not been published previously.

Appeals Process

Authors who believe a plagiarism decision was made in error may file a formal appeal. Appeals are reviewed by the ApexMed Editorial Board, and a final decision will be issued following a comprehensive and impartial evaluation.

Transparency and Retraction Policy

In cases of retraction due to plagiarism, ApexMed will publish a formal retraction notice outlining the reason to maintain transparency and protect the integrity of the journal and the academic community.

Use of AI-Generated Content

ApexMed strictly prohibits the use of AI-generated content (e.g., ChatGPT, Bard, Gemini, etc.) in submitted manuscripts. Authors must ensure that all academic submissions are a result of original human scholarship and independent scientific thinking.

  • AI-assisted content is not acceptable in any part of the manuscript (e.g., abstract, methodology, discussion).

  • All manuscripts must reflect 0% AI-generated content.

  • Violations will be handled with the same severity as plagiarism, and offending manuscripts will be rejected or retracted.