We were made aware of a double publication in our journal dating from 20 years ago. A paper which was originally published in French in another journal the year previously was translated and published in our journal. The editorial paperwork is long lost, however, the principal author is a member of our editorial board. They readily responded and explained that it was not uncommon at that time to publish translated papers if the original paper was printed in a ‘non-accessible’ language. Moreover, they had been asked to translate the paper and checked with the editor and editorial board who accepted (and encouraged) the publication of the English version. However, there is no disclosure in the paper that it was a translation of a French original.
My principal feeling is that this cannot be considered misconduct, however, a printed notice of clarification that the contents are indeed identical is necessary.
Question for COPE Council
- What is your view?
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Council agree with your course of action. The translator did the correct thing and checked with the editor but they should have acknowledged that a French version had already been published and this should have been referenced. All that needs to be done now, as you suggest, is to add the appropriate disclosure with a pointer back to the original article.