Plagiarism & Artificial Intelligence Policy

At Nutraceutical and Molecular Reports (NMR), maintaining the highest standards of research integrity, originality, and transparency is central to our mission. The journal enforces strict policies to prevent plagiarism and to guide the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in manuscript preparation. Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to uphold these standards to protect the quality and credibility of the scientific record.

1. Plagiarism Policy

Definition and Scope

Plagiarism occurs when the work, ideas, data, or words of others are presented as one’s own without appropriate acknowledgment. This includes:

  • Direct plagiarism: Copying text verbatim without quotation marks or citation.

  • Mosaic or patchwork plagiarism: Rewriting text from another source with minor changes, without proper citation.

  • Self-plagiarism: Reusing significant portions of one’s own previously published work without disclosure or citation.

  • Data or image plagiarism: Reusing figures, tables, or datasets without permission or acknowledgment.

  • Salami slicing: Fragmenting a single study into multiple publications to increase output without scientific justification.

Examples of Plagiarism

  • Copying methodology or introduction sections from other publications without citation.

  • Reproducing images or tables from prior publications without permission.

  • Submitting overlapping manuscripts without transparency.

Acceptable Practices

  • Properly citing all sources, including one’s own prior work.

  • Clearly indicating quoted material using quotation marks.

  • Disclosing reuse of data, figures, or text.

  • Expanding on previous work with explicit acknowledgment of prior publications.

Screening and Consequences

  • All submissions are screened using plagiarism detection software.

  • Editors evaluate similarity reports considering context, citation, and intent.

  • Confirmed plagiarism may result in manuscript rejection, revision requests, or, for published articles, corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions.

  • Serious misconduct may be reported to the author’s institution.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy

Permitted Uses

NMR recognizes the utility of AI-assisted tools in manuscript preparation. Authors may use AI tools for non-creative support only, including:

  • Language editing and grammar improvement.

  • Formatting assistance for references or figures.

  • Enhancing readability and clarity.

Prohibited Uses

AI tools must not be used to:

  • Generate original scientific content, hypotheses, or interpretations.

  • Fabricate, analyze, or manipulate data.

  • Produce entire sections of a manuscript without human authorship.

  • Generate references, citations, or results that are not verified by authors.

Disclosure

Any use of AI must be clearly disclosed in the manuscript, typically in the Methods or Acknowledgments section. AI tools cannot be listed as authors, and authors remain fully accountable for all content.

Example disclosure:

“An AI-based language tool was used to improve grammar and readability. The authors take full responsibility for the scientific content of this manuscript.”

Detection and Oversight

  • The journal may use AI-detection tools to identify unacknowledged AI-generated content.

  • Suspicious manuscripts may be returned for clarification or revision.

Consequences of Misuse

  • Rejection of the manuscript prior to or after peer review.

  • Retraction of published articles if AI misuse is detected post-publication.

  • Notification of authors’ institutions, where appropriate.

  • Temporary or permanent suspension of authors from submitting to the journal.

3. Author Responsibilities

By submitting to NMR, authors confirm that:

  • The work is original and has not been submitted elsewhere.

  • Proper acknowledgment and permissions have been obtained for all reused material.

  • AI tools, if used, comply fully with this policy.

  • The manuscript adheres to ethical and professional publishing standards.

4. Disclosure Requirements

Authors must provide a clear statement about any AI use in both the cover letter and the manuscript. This should include:

  • Tool name and version.

  • Purpose of use (e.g., language improvement, literature synthesis).

  • Confirmation of human review and responsibility for all content.

Example Statement:

“The authors used [Tool Name, Version] to assist with language refinement and literature organization. All outputs were reviewed and edited by the authors, who accept full responsibility for the content of this work.”

Standard spelling or grammar tools do not require disclosure.

5. Ethical Oversight

NMR follows best practice guidance from COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics). Suspected violations of plagiarism or AI misuse are investigated promptly and fairly, and appropriate actions are taken to maintain the integrity of the scientific record.