Plagiarism Policy

AMBEDKAR PATH maintains a strict policy against any form of plagiarism or unethical practices related to the copying of content. Plagiarism is defined as the act of using significant portions of a manuscript from previously published works without proper acknowledgment of the original source. To ensure the integrity of all submitted manuscripts, AMBEDKAR PATH uses plagiarism detection software, such as iThenticate/Turnitin, to cross-check each submission.

Plagiarism involves using someone else’s ideas, processes, results, or words without proper acknowledgment. Self-plagiarism occurs when an author reuses substantial parts of their own previously published work without proper citation. This can include submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals or modifying a previous manuscript by adding new data.

Plagiarism Detection and Consequences

  • During Review: If plagiarism is detected during the initial review, the manuscript will be immediately rejected and will not be considered for publication.
  • Post-Publication: If plagiarism is identified after a manuscript has been published, the Editor-in-Chief will initiate a preliminary investigation, possibly with the help of a committee.

If the manuscript is found to be plagiarized beyond acceptable limits, AMBEDKAR PATH will contact the author’s affiliated institution or funding agency, if applicable. A statement acknowledging the plagiarism will be added online and linked to the original paper, with a reference to the plagiarized material. The manuscript will be marked as plagiarized on each page of the PDF, and if the extent of plagiarism is significant, the paper may be retracted.

Types of Plagiarism

AMBEDKAR PATH identifies and classifies the following types of plagiarism:

  1. Full Plagiarism: This occurs when a manuscript copies an entire section of text, ideas, or grammar from a source without modification, presenting it as original work.
  2. Partial Plagiarism: This involves copying text or ideas from multiple sources, where the author has rephrased some parts but still retains large portions of the original content.
  3. Self-Plagiarism: This happens when an author republishes parts or the entirety of their own previous work without proper citation or acknowledgment. Complete self-plagiarism occurs when the author submits the same manuscript to multiple journals.

AMBEDKAR PATH values intellectual property and is committed to preserving the originality of research. All authors submitting manuscripts are expected to adhere to ethical standards and refrain from plagiarism in any form. If an author is suspected of plagiarism in a submitted or published manuscript, AMBEDKAR PATH will contact the author for an explanation within two weeks. If no response is received within this period, the Director/Dean/Head of the author’s institution, or the Vice Chancellor of their university, will be notified for further action.

Actions for Plagiarism

If a manuscript is found to contain plagiarism after publication, AMBEDKAR PATH will take the following steps:

  1. Immediate Action: The editorial office will contact the Director/Dean/Head of the author’s institution or university to address the issue and take appropriate action against the author.
  2. Removal of Manuscript: The plagiarized manuscript will be removed from the AMBEDKAR PATH website, and all links to the article will be disabled. The term “Plagiarized Manuscript” will be appended to the title.
  3. Disabling Author’s Account: The author’s account will be disabled, and all future submissions will be rejected for a period of 3, 5, or 10 years, or even permanently banned.
  4. Public Disclosure: AMBEDKAR PATH may publish the list of authors involved in plagiarism, along with their contact details, on the website.
  5. Further Actions: Additional actions may be taken as recommended by the Fact Finding Committee (FFC) or as determined by the Editorial Board.

AMBEDKAR PATH is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity and will take all necessary measures to prevent and address plagiarism in any form.