NOTICE OF DUPLICATE PUBLICATION ISSUED AFTER INVESTIGATION
An intriguing case report submitted to our journal recently underwent scrutiny following concerns raised about its originality. The case report, resubmitted after revisions, underwent peer review and was subsequently published. However, subsequent communication revealed discrepancies regarding its prior publication history.
Upon receipt of a letter from the head of department of one author, it was revealed that the case report had previously appeared in a non-English language journal, with the head of department also listed as an author. Despite assurances in the cover letters accompanying each submission that the case report had not been submitted elsewhere, it became evident that this was not the case.
The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) was consulted regarding the appropriate course of action. Given the distinct languages of the publications, COPE advised issuing a "notice of duplicate publication" rather than immediate retraction. This decision aimed to address both the authorship discrepancies and the issue of duplicate publication, while also acknowledging potential copyright concerns with the original journal.
Subsequent correspondence from the authors attempted to clarify the nature of the prior publication, asserting that it was not a scientific publication due to the absence of editorial oversight and peer review. However, further investigation revealed that the journal in question is indeed reputable within their country and indexed on PUBMED.
In light of these findings, it was determined that the article's withdrawal was necessary to uphold the integrity of scholarly publishing standards. Despite the authors' assertions, the evidence pointed to a clear case of duplicate publication, warranting appropriate action to maintain the credibility of our journal and the scientific community at large.
This incident underscores the importance of transparency and adherence to ethical guidelines in academic publishing, serving as a reminder of the responsibilities incumbent upon authors and editors alike to uphold the integrity of the research process.
