Journal of Umm Al-Qura University for Medical Sciences (JUQUMS) is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and originality. Plagiarism and duplicate publication undermine the credibility of scholarly work and compromise the trust of readers, reviewers, and the academic community. To maintain the quality and ethical standards of our journal, we have established the following guidelines and policies regarding plagiarism and duplicate publication:

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is presenting someone else's work, ideas, or words as one's own without proper attribution. Authors submitting manuscripts to JUQUMS are expected to ensure that their work is entirely original. Any form of plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional, is considered a breach of ethical standards and will not be tolerated.

Proper Citation and Attribution: Authors should appropriately cite and reference all sources, including text, data, images, and ideas that have contributed to their research. Proper citation not only acknowledges the intellectual contributions of others but also adds credibility to the research.

Self-Plagiarism and Duplicate Publication: Authors should not submit the same manuscript, in whole or in part, to multiple journals simultaneously. Authors should also avoid recycling their previously published work without appropriate citation and disclosure. Duplicate publication, also known as self-plagiarism, is a violation of ethical publishing practices.

CrossCheck and Plagiarism Detection: This journal uses plagiarism detection software and other tools to screen submitted manuscripts for potential instances of plagiarism or duplicate publication. Authors should be aware that their submissions will undergo thorough scrutiny to ensure originality. We use iThenticate – an efficacious plagiarism detection software, to verify the originality of the manuscript. A similarity score between 1-10%  is acceptable in a manuscript. Similarities above 10% will not be recognised for publication.

Consequences of Plagiarism and Duplicate Publication: If plagiarism or duplicate publication is identified in a manuscript, the journal will take appropriate action, which may include rejection of the manuscript, notification of the author's institution or funding agency, and possible prohibition of future submissions to the journal.

Responsibility of Authors and Co-Authors: All authors, including co-authors, share the responsibility for ensuring the integrity of their submitted work. It is crucial for authors to discuss and resolve any potential issues related to plagiarism or duplicate publication before submission.

We encourage all authors, reviewers, and readers to be vigilant in identifying and reporting instances of plagiarism or duplicate publication. By adhering to these policies and promoting ethical publishing practices, we aim to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity and contribute to the advancement of knowledge within the educational community. Authors are strongly encouraged to review these guidelines carefully and seek clarification from the editorial office if needed during the submission process. Your cooperation in upholding these ethical standards is essential to the success and reputation of JUQUMS.