Plagiarism Policy

The Pak Advances in Engineering Research Journal (PAERJ) is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity in its publishing process. We take plagiarism very seriously and have a strict policy to prevent, detect, and address any instances of plagiarism. This policy ensures that all published content is original, properly cited, and ethically sound.

Key Aspects of the Plagiarism Policy:

1. Definition of Plagiarism: Plagiarism refers to the use of another person’s ideas, data, text, or intellectual property without proper acknowledgment. This includes:

   • Direct Copying: Copying text, data, or content from another source without citation.
   • Paraphrasing Without Proper Citation: Rewriting someone else’s work or ideas in your own words without providing a proper reference to the original source.
   • Self-Plagiarism: Reusing your own previously published work without citing the original publication or obtaining the necessary permissions.
   • Uncredited Use of Figures, Tables, or Other Content: Using charts, graphs, images, or any content from other sources without acknowledgment.

2. Plagiarism Detection:

   • All manuscripts submitted to PAERJ undergo plagiarism checks using recognized software tools, such as iThenticate, Turnitin, or other similar platforms, to detect any potential instances of plagiarism.
   • Authors are strongly encouraged to conduct their own plagiarism check before submitting manuscripts to ensure their work is original and all sources are properly credited.

3. Actions in Case of Plagiarism:

   • During Submission: If plagiarism is detected before the manuscript enters the peer review process, the manuscript will be returned to the author for revision. The author will be required to properly cite any sources or remove any plagiarized content.
   • During Peer Review: If plagiarism is identified during the peer review process, the manuscript will be rejected. Authors will be informed of the plagiarism findings and will not be allowed to resubmit the same manuscript.
   • Post-Publication: If plagiarism is identified after the article has been published, the article will be retracted. A retraction notice will be published, explaining the reason for the retraction, and the article will remain accessible online with the retraction clearly indicated.

4. Consequences of Plagiarism:

   • Authors found guilty of plagiarism may face severe consequences, including:
     • Rejection of the manuscript.
     • A permanent ban on future submissions to PAERJ.
     • Notification to the author’s academic institution or funding bodies about the ethical violation.
   • These actions are taken to uphold the integrity of the journal and prevent the publication of unethical research.

5. Ethical Responsibility of Authors:

   • Authors are required to submit only original work. They must ensure that all content, including data, text, and figures, is properly cited, and any previous work that has been reused must be appropriately acknowledged.
   • Authors should avoid excessive reliance on direct quotations and should paraphrase content in their own words while citing the original source.
   • Authors must disclose any sources of funding and potential conflicts of interest that could influence the manuscript.

6. Prevention of Plagiarism:

   • PAERJ encourages authors to familiarize themselves with proper citation practices. Clear guidelines on referencing styles (e.g., IEEE, APA) are provided to help authors comply with appropriate academic standards.
   • Authors are encouraged to focus on the originality of their work and to provide their own analysis and interpretations, minimizing the need to rely on direct copying.

7. Transparency and Accountability:

   • PAERJ is committed to maintaining transparency in its publishing process. If any ethical issues arise, including plagiarism, they will be handled promptly, and the appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the journal’s ethical guidelines.

By adhering to this plagiarism policy, PAERJ ensures the integrity and quality of the research published in the journal, fostering an environment of trust and transparency in engineering research. We are committed to upholding ethical standards and promoting the dissemination of original and reliable knowledge in the field.