The Annals of King Edward Medical University is committed to maintaining academic integrity, originality, and ethical standards in scholarly publishing.

Definition and Forms of Plagiarism

Plagiarism broadly refers to presenting the thoughts, words, ideas, data, or intellectual work of another person as one's own without appropriate acknowledgement. Plagiarism may take different forms and is not limited to direct copying of text.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Verbatim or near-verbatim copying of text, sentences, or substantial portions of another work without appropriate citation.
• Inappropriate paraphrasing, including deliberately changing wording or sentence structure while retaining another author's ideas without proper acknowledgement.
• Copying or unauthorized use of non-textual material, including equations, algorithms, computer programs or software, mathematical models, databases, tables, figures, diagrams, graphs, photographs, maps, designs, illustrations, presentations, or other creative or intellectual material without appropriate attribution or permission where required.
• Inadequate acknowledgement of copied text, including reproducing material with a citation but failing to clearly identify verbatim text through appropriate quotation or formatting.
• Idea or intellectual plagiarism, including presenting another person's original concept, methodology, interpretation, or unpublished intellectual contribution as one's own.
• Self-plagiarism or text recycling, involving substantial verbatim or near-verbatim reuse of one's previously published work without appropriate citation or disclosure.
• Duplicate or redundant publication, including substantially overlapping publication of the same research or findings without appropriate disclosure.
• Data or research appropriation, including unauthorized use or presentation of another person's data, findings, or research material as one's own.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that all sources and intellectual contributions are appropriately acknowledged. Lack of awareness of plagiarism or its different forms does not exempt authors from responsibility.

Similarity Screening

All submitted manuscripts undergo similarity screening using appropriate plagiarism-detection software. A similarity score alone does not establish plagiarism; the Editorial Office will evaluate the nature, extent, source, and context of the identified overlap.

Handling of Suspected Plagiarism

Plagiarism may be investigated at any stage, including during peer review or after publication. Where concerns arise, the Editorial Office may request an explanation, clarification, or supporting documentation from the authors.

Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, editorial action may include:

• Request for correction or revision
• Rejection or withdrawal of the manuscript
• Correction, withdrawal, or retraction of a published article
• Notification of the authors' institution or relevant regulatory or academic bodies, where appropriate

Other measures considered necessary under applicable publication-ethics policies

Cases will be handled in accordance with recognized publication-ethics standards, including COPE, ICMJE, and applicable Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan policies.

Claims concerning plagiarism, intellectual/idea theft, or unauthorized use of data should be supported by appropriate documentary or other verifiable evidence.

The Annals of King Edward Medical University reserve the right to take appropriate action to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.