Reviewer informs editor about suspected plagiarism
Note: The instructions to authors should include a definition of plagiarism and state the journal’s policy on it
Thank reviewer and say you plan to investigate. Get full documentary evidence if not already provided.
Contact author in neutral terms / expressing disappointment / explaining journal’s position.
Ask author to rephrase copied phrases or include as direct quotations with references.
Proceed with review.
See flowcharts on redundancy.
Suspected redundant publication in a submitted manuscript
Discuss with reviewer.
Contact corresponding author in writing, ideally enclosing signed authorship statement (or cover letter) stating that submitted work is original/the author’s own and documentary evidence of plagiarism.
This COPE Case might be helpful:
Possible plagiarism case
Attempt to contact all other authors (check Medline/Google for emails).
This COPE Case might be helpful:
Suspected plagiarism
Contact author’s institution requesting your concern is passed to author’s superior and/or person responsible for research governance.
If no response, keep contacting institution every 3–6 months.
If no resolution, consider contacting other authorities, e.g. ORI in US, GMC in UK
Write to author (all authors if possible) rejecting submission or requesting revision, explaining position and expected future behaviour.
Consider informing author’s superior and/or person responsible for research governance and/or potential victim.
This COPE Case might be helpful:
Reprimanded author plagiarizes again
Inform author(s) of your action.
This COPE Case might be helpful:
Plagiarism
Write to author (all authors if possible) rejecting submission or requesting revision, explaining position and expected future behaviour.
Inform reviewer of outcome/action