Plagiarism Policy

Overview

Synergy: International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies (SIJMDS), published by Synergy Publication, upholds the highest standards of academic integrity, originality, and ethical publishing. In accordance with the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations on Promotion of Academic Integrity and Prevention of Plagiarism in Higher Educational Institutions, 2018 (as amended), SIJMDS adopts a maximum permissible similarity threshold of less than 10% for manuscripts to be considered acceptable in terms of originality. SIJMDS also adheres to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines on plagiarism, text recycling (self-plagiarism), duplicate publication, and related forms of academic misconduct.

Similarity Threshold & Screening Tools

  • Primary Tool: iThenticate (via Crossref Similarity Check).

  • Permissible Threshold: A maximum similarity index of less than 10% is required for a manuscript to proceed to peer review.

Exclusions from Similarity Calculation

The following are excluded from similarity assessment:

  • Properly quoted text with correct citation
  • References, bibliography, footnotes, acknowledgements
  • Common methodological descriptions and standard phrases
  • Self-citations, if properly disclosed

Manuscripts exceeding the 10% threshold after exclusions are handled according to the journal’s policies.

Author Responsibilities (Pre-Submission)

  • Check manuscripts using UGC-recommended or equivalent plagiarism software
  • Ensure accurate paraphrasing, quoting, and citation
  • Disclose any overlap with prior publications (text recycling)
  • Submit only original work not previously published, except preprints, theses, working papers, or conference papers with full disclosure

Corresponding authors certify that their manuscript:

  • Is original and plagiarism-free
  • Complies with the <10% similarity requirement
  • Meets accepted academic integrity standards

Plagiarism Screening Process

  1. Automated similarity check using iThenticate
  2. Editorial review and manual evaluation of flagged content
  3. Contextual assessment of the similarity report

Editorial Decisions Based on Similarity

  • Similarity ≤ 10%: The manuscript proceeds to the peer review stage.

  • Similarity > 10%: The manuscript is returned to the author for revision (limited to one opportunity).

  • High Similarity/Gross Misconduct: Manuscripts with substantial overlap or evidence of deliberate theft of ideas are subject to immediate desk rejection without the possibility of resubmission.

Handling Plagiarism & Ethical Misconduct

SIJMDS follows UGC Regulations and COPE guidelines.

Pre-Publication Actions

  • Manuscript rejection
  • Notification to the corresponding author
  • Communication with author’s institution if needed
  • Temporary restriction on future submissions

Post-Publication Actions

If plagiarism is discovered after an article has been published, SIJMDS follows COPE Flowcharts and UGC Regulations:

  • Correction/Expression of Concern: For minor, unintentional overlaps.

  • Retraction: For significant plagiarism or data theft, the article will be formally retracted in accordance with our Retraction Policy.

  • Reporting: The journal may notify the author’s affiliated institution, funding bodies, and relevant indexing services.

Self-Plagiarism / Text Recycling

  • Disclose and cite reused material transparently
  • Limited methodological or background overlap may be acceptable if referenced
  • Substantial undisclosed reuse is treated as plagiarism and subject to the same threshold and sanctions