The Universal Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Innovative Development (UJMRID) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity. Plagiarism, in all its forms, undermines the credibility of research and publication, and as such, the journal upholds a strict anti-plagiarism policy. This policy ensures that all submissions adhere to ethical standards, protecting the originality and intellectual property of authors.

1. Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism refers to the act of presenting someone else’s work, ideas, or findings as one’s own, without proper acknowledgment or citation. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Direct copying of text, images, or data from other sources without citation.
• Paraphrasing another author’s work without proper acknowledgment.
• Self-plagiarism, which involves submitting previously published work as if it were new or original.
• Reusing data or findings from other works without proper citation or permission.

At UJMRID, we expect all authors to ensure that their submissions are free from any form of plagiarism and that proper credit is given to original authors and sources.

2. Plagiarism Detection

All manuscripts submitted to UJMRID undergo a comprehensive plagiarism check as part of the initial editorial screening process. The journal utilizes advanced plagiarism detection software, such as Turnitin or iThenticate, to identify any instances of plagiarism or inappropriate reuse of content. These tools compare the manuscript against a large database of academic publications, journals, and online content to detect similarities.

3. Threshold for Plagiarism

• Manuscripts with plagiarism or similarity reports exceeding 15% will be flagged for further review.
• If plagiarism is detected, the manuscript will be rejected immediately unless the author can provide a valid explanation or revision addressing the issue.

4. Consequences of Plagiarism

Any manuscript found to contain plagiarized material will face the following consequences:

• Immediate Rejection: Manuscripts found to have significant instances of plagiarism will be rejected for publication.
• Reporting to Institutions: In cases of severe plagiarism, UJMRID reserves the right to report the issue to the author’s affiliated institution or organization.
• Ban on Future Submissions: Authors found to have committed plagiarism may be barred from submitting to the journal in the future.

5. Preventing Plagiarism

To prevent plagiarism and ensure ethical submission practices, UJMRID encourages authors to:

• Properly cite all sources: Authors must provide full and accurate citations for all materials referenced or quoted in their manuscript, adhering to the APA (7th edition) citation style.
• Paraphrase properly: If rephrasing someone else’s ideas, ensure that the paraphrased text is significantly different from the original and is properly credited to the original author.
• Submit original content: Manuscripts must present original research and should not have been published previously, in part or in whole, unless specified as part of a separate type of publication (e.g., a conference abstract or a preliminary report).
• Ensure transparency in data: All data presented in the manuscript should be authentic, verifiable, and properly credited, especially in cases where secondary data is used.

6. Role of Authors in Preventing Plagiarism

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their work is free from plagiarism. This includes:

• Original Contribution: Authors must submit manuscripts that represent original work, including new findings, insights, or innovations.
• Correct Citations: Authors should thoroughly reference any ideas, data, or results derived from the work of others, whether published or unpublished.
• Proper Permissions: Authors should seek permission to use any content that is copyrighted, such as images, tables, or figures, and provide proper attribution.
• Declaration of Prior Publications: If the work has been previously published in part or whole, authors must clearly declare this in the manuscript and explain how it differs from the current submission.

7. Handling Plagiarism Allegations

In the event that a plagiarism allegation is raised, UJMRID will:

• Investigate the claim thoroughly and fairly, considering all relevant information and explanations from the author.
• Provide authors an opportunity to respond to the allegations, including offering an explanation or submitting a revised manuscript.
• Make a final decision based on the investigation, which may include rejecting the manuscript, retracting a published article, or taking further action if necessary.

8. Conclusion

UJMRID takes plagiarism seriously and is dedicated to upholding the integrity of academic publishing. The journal encourages all authors to familiarize themselves with the anti-plagiarism policy and adhere to ethical writing practices. By maintaining strict standards on plagiarism, UJMRID aims to promote academic honesty and ensure that all research published in the journal is of the highest quality and originality.