Plagiarism Policy

Trends in Optimal Medical Outcomes (TOMO) is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity in the publication process. To maintain the credibility of the journal and ensure the originality of the research published, we adhere to a strict Plagiarism Policy.

1. Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's work, ideas, or words without proper acknowledgment, presenting them as one's own. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Copying text or data from other sources without proper citation.
• Paraphrasing someone else’s ideas or research findings without proper attribution.
• Submitting articles that have been previously published or submitted elsewhere.
• Using figures, tables, or illustrations from other works without permission or proper credit.

2. Our Commitment to Originality

• All submitted manuscripts to TOMO are expected to be original works that have not been published elsewhere and are not under consideration for publication in any other journal.
• Authors are required to properly cite all sources, data, and materials used in their research, including direct quotes, paraphrases, and referenced ideas.

3. Plagiarism Detection

• TOMO uses advanced plagiarism detection software to screen all submitted manuscripts for potential instances of plagiarism and self-plagiarism.
• Manuscripts that are found to contain substantial text or data copied without proper citation will be rejected. The editors and reviewers will take appropriate steps to address the issue and, if necessary, notify the author(s) of the breach.

4. Consequences of Plagiarism

• If plagiarism is identified during the submission, review, or publication process, TOMO will take corrective action. This may include:
  • Rejection of the manuscript.
  • Withdrawal or retraction of the published article.
  • Notification of the author’s institution, if deemed appropriate.
• Authors found to have committed plagiarism may be banned from submitting future manuscripts to TOMO.

5. Self-Plagiarism

• Authors should avoid submitting manuscripts that contain substantial overlap with their previously published work. When referencing previous work, authors must clearly cite the original article and ensure that new contributions or ideas are clearly presented.
• Self-plagiarism is unacceptable and will be treated in the same manner as plagiarism from other sources.

6. Handling of Allegations of Plagiarism

• If an allegation of plagiarism is made against a published article, the journal will investigate the claim thoroughly. The investigation process includes reviewing the manuscript, the evidence provided, and consulting with the author(s).
• If the allegation is substantiated, TOMO will follow the procedures outlined for retraction or correction, in accordance with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines.

7. Best Practices for Authors

• Authors should ensure that all sources, data, and citations are properly referenced, and they should avoid any practices that might be interpreted as plagiarism.
• We recommend authors familiarize themselves with the ethical standards and citation guidelines related to plagiarism to ensure the highest standards of integrity in their work.

8. Best Practices for Editors and Reviewers

• Editors and reviewers at TOMO are also required to uphold academic integrity by reporting any suspected plagiarism or ethical violations they encounter during the editorial process.
• They should treat each manuscript with fairness and confidentiality, ensuring that the peer review process is conducted transparently.