An identical paper was submitted simultaneously to two journals. Both editors had received a signed statement from the authors declaring that their paper had not been submitted elsewhere. Duplicate submission became evident only when the associate editor of one of the journals was sent the paper to review by the editor of the other journal. The author also cited two papers within this submission, of which he was a co-author, which a PUBMED search revealed, were duplicate publications of each other. The associate editor of one of the journals also suspected that another of the cited papers published in English was very similar to one published in German. Both journals withdrew the paper from the review process, pending an explanation from the author for the attempt to secure dual publication. The authors replied, apologising for the error, which had been due to “hurry and inattentiveness, ” adding: “that the predicament is entirely due to circumstances beyond our intention. ” They requested that the paper be withdrawn. An explanation for the previous episode of duplicate submission was not given, although they said that they had sent a detailed letter to the editors of both journals, stating that it had not been their intention to secure dual publication. Both editors agreed that the case could not be taken any further as the paper had now been withdrawn. It was suggested that the author’s head of department should be informed, but the head of department was one of the co-authors. The editor of one of the journals has decided to let matters lie and intends keeping a close eye on these authors in the future. Should the matter be taken any further? A further concern is that the duplicate publications are still being cited.
_ The dean or head of the institution should be informed. _ Although the author had offended on a previous occasion, he/she was continuing to attempt to secure dual publication. _ The editor had a duty to take the matter further, particularly as he was a member of COPE. _ The editor must tell the other editor what he intends to do. _ He should recommend that the institution not only look at the identified case but also alert it to the possibility that there may be others.
The editor has yet to contact the head of the institution (the web site is in German) and is trying to get a translator.