Originality, Plagiarism, and AI Use Policy

Originality

MJMS publishes only original work that has not been published before and is not under consideration elsewhere. Posting a preprint on a recognised preprint server does not count as prior publication, but it must be disclosed at submission. Conference abstracts must also be disclosed.

Similarity checking

Every manuscript is checked for similarity using similarity-detection software before it is sent for peer review, and again before publication if it has changed substantially.

  • An overall similarity index above 20%, excluding references and quoted material, or more than 5% from any single source, leads to the manuscript being returned to the authors for revision or rejected.
  • An editor interprets every similarity report. A low percentage does not rule out plagiarism, and a high percentage is not automatically plagiarism (for example, standard methods text).

Forms of plagiarism

  • Copying text, data, images or ideas from others without citation.
  • Self-plagiarism / text recycling: reusing one's own published text without citation.
  • Duplicate or redundant publication: publishing the same study, or substantially the same results, more than once.
  • Translation plagiarism: publishing a translation of another work without permission and citation.

Action taken

Plagiarism found before publication leads to rejection, and the authors may be informed of the reasons. Plagiarism found after publication is handled under the Retraction and Correction Policy and, depending on its extent, may lead to a correction or a retraction. Serious cases may be reported to the authors' institutions. All cases follow COPE guidance.

Use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools

  • AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot or Claude) cannot be listed as authors, because they cannot take responsibility for the work.
  • Authors may use AI tools for language editing, grammar or limited assistance. Such use must be disclosed in the Methods or Acknowledgements section, naming the tool, its version and how it was used.
  • Authors are fully responsible for the accuracy, originality and integrity of all content, including any part produced with AI assistance, and must check all AI-assisted text and references.
  • AI-generated or AI-altered images, figures, data or references are not allowed, unless AI is part of the research design and is fully described in the Methods.
  • Reviewers and editors must not upload manuscripts, or any part of them, into AI tools, because this breaks confidentiality.
  • Undisclosed or inappropriate use of AI may be treated as misconduct under the Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement.