What's the big deal about self-plagiarism? 1

What's the big deal

about self-plagiarism?

Publication Ethics - Editage Insights

What's the big deal about self-plagiarism? 1

Question

Dear Dr. Eddy, I recently submitted my manuscript for publication and it was rejected by the journal saying the

data is partially redundant since I have published it in the past. I agree that I used some of the data from a

previous paper because this is an extension of the same study. I would like to know why it is unacceptable to use

some of my own published data in my future publications.

Answer

I am sorry to learn about the journal’s decision on your manuscript.

A redundant publication is also referred to as self-plagiarism and is defined as a type of plagiarism in which

the writer republishes a work in its entirety or reuses portions of a previously written text while authoring a

new work. It is acceptable for authors to re-use their copyrighted works if the previously published work is

appropriately cited. However, it is considered unethical if the authors portray a previously published work as

new, when it is not.

A redundant publication could also lead to copyright infringement. Once a manuscript is accepted for

publication, the authors are often required to submit a signed copyright form to the publishers, wherein the

author guarantees that the work is original and that no part of it has been previously published. Though

authors can quote from their previous publications with the relevant citations, duplicate publication of

previously reported data is considered unethical.

According to guidelines issued by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE,) journal editors should

consider retracting a paper if it is found to be redundant. To prevent submission of redundant manuscripts,

individual journals follow specific guidelines. For example, the New England Journal of Medicine insists that

authors should submit to the editor copies of any published papers or other manuscripts in preparation or

submitted elsewhere that are related to the manuscript to be considered by the journal.

In the case of your manuscript, which is based on one of your earlier published studies, it is important that

you provide citations for all references to your previous work. Further, to avoid being considered guilty of

self-plagiarism, it would be advisable to add a note to the editor in the cover letter, informing him/her of

the previously published study that forms the basis of the current study.

TAGS: plagiarism self-plagiarism redundant publication

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What's the big deal about self-plagiarism? 1