Simple steps to avoid plagiarism and improve scientific writing

Strengthening health care research and academics during and after COVID19 pandemic- an Indian perspective

The world-wide crisis of COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted daily lives, global economies, intra/inter-countries political outlook and educational systems. Schools and colleges in India and abroad are under lock-down to maximize social distancing and minimize the spread of infection amongst students and teaching staff. Health sciences related universities and researchers are forced to adopt non-contact teaching and research. Present article highlights the positive impact and opportunities provided by COVID-19 crisis to health care research and academic set-up. We have compiled ethical, effective and practical guidelines to mitigate the impact on health care related research and academic front during these pandemic times in an Indian perspective. These guidelines and management suggestions can be modified to suit region based cases and can be applied in global perspective also. The suggestions in the current article provide a working collaboration of students and teachers to effectively connect on virtual platforms to strengthen their research output, giving suggestions of data-sharing and rapid review of proposals by online review ethical boards. This time is proposed to be used for generating a positive impact on health and research sector to use each adversity as an opportunity.

Understanding of plagiarism among North-African university hospital doctors (UHDs): A pilot study

No previous North-African study has evaluated the UHDs understanding of plagiarism (UP). This descriptive study aimed to assess UP among Tunisian UHDs. UHDs were recruited via electronic mails sent to all the Tunisian UHDs through the national health networks and by convenience sampling via a questionnaire provided directly to some UHDs. The French survey, available from the Laval University website, includes 11 questions related to UP, with three-choice answers (yes/no/may be). One point was awarded for each correct answer. A total score lower than six corresponded to a low level of UP. 96 UHDs (69 females) responded to the survey either through emails (39.6%) or by filled in the paper (60.4%). The mean ±SD (95% confidence interval) score of UP was considered low at 5.4 ± 1.9 (5.0 to 5.8); 74% of the participants had a low UP. The UP score was significantly different between the categories of assistants and professors. Data comparison between subjective and objective assessments revealed that significant percentages of UHDs underestimated their low UP. This was more marked in the professors' category. There was no significant correlation between the UP total score and the UHDs' age or professional experience. To conclude, plagiarism is not well-known to North African UHDs. Abbreviations: MD: medical doctor; MSc: master of sciences; PhD: doctor of philosophy; r: Spearman correlation coefficient; SD: standard deviation; UHDs: university hospital doctors; UP: understanding of plagiarism; 95% CI: 95% confidence interval.

The Plague of Plagiarism: Prevention and Cure!!!

Plagiarism is a serious form of scientific misconduct. Literal meaning of the Latin word "to Plagiare" is "to steal or to kidnap". The act of taking the writings of another person and passing them off as one's own is plagiarism. It implies intellectual theft in the world of medical writing. The "copy and paste" culture is becoming rampant all over the world after the advent of electronic publications, and Indian medical literature is no exception. This editorial will enlighten aspiring authors and readers about various forms of plagiarism and reasons for engaging in plagiarism. More so, it will also elaborate on how to prevent and cure this plague. Possible consequences that authors may face on detection of the plagiarism are also discussed. I am concluding my editorial series on medical writing with this last editorial of the year. I sincerely hope that these editorials helped authors and readers and this journal continues to receive high-quality papers written with the greatest honesty and integrity.