Introduction
Plagiarism is one of the most common reasons for journal rejection in Indian academic publishing. Whether intentional or accidental, copied content harms your credibility and violates research ethics. If you’re a PhD scholar or researcher aiming to publish in reputed journals, removing plagiarism is a critical step before submission. But how exactly can you identify and remove it from your manuscript?
This blog outlines practical, ethical, and culturally aware strategies to help you revise your work and ensure it meets the originality standards required by journals.
Understanding What Counts as Plagiarism
Plagiarism isn’t just copy-pasting entire paragraphs.
It includes:
- Using someone else’s words without quotation or citation
- Paraphrasing too closely to the source
- Submitting someone else’s data or ideas as your own
- Reusing your previously published work without disclosure (self-plagiarism)
Even unintentional plagiarism, such as forgetting citations, can lead to serious academic consequences. UGC guidelines stress zero tolerance toward plagiarism, and most journals use software like Turnitin or iThenticate to detect it.
Step 1: Use Plagiarism Detection Tools
Before you start editing, use reliable plagiarism detection software to identify problem areas. Some trusted tools include:
- Turnitin (institution-provided)
- Grammarly Premium
- QuillBot’s plagiarism checker
- PlagScan
- iThenticate (used by publishers)
Check which parts of your manuscript are flagged and understand whether the similarity is due to direct copying, poorly paraphrased text, or missing citations.
Step 2: Paraphrase Carefully, Not Lazily
Merely changing a few words or using a thesaurus is not enough. Proper paraphrasing requires:
- Understanding the idea clearly
- Rewriting it in your own words and sentence structure
- Retaining the original meaning
- Giving appropriate credit through citation
Example:
Plagiarised: “India was the first country to produce rust-resistant iron.”
Properly paraphrased: Researchers note that ancient Indian metallurgy led to the early development of iron resistant to corrosion, a significant scientific achievement (Author, Year).
Step 3: Quote Where Needed
If a sentence or phrase is too precise or powerful to rewrite, use it as a direct quote—but sparingly. Always:
- Put quotation marks around the quoted text
- Provide accurate in-text citation
- Limit quotations to highly significant or unique expressions
Overuse of quotations may reduce the originality score even if it’s technically not plagiarism.
Step 4: Cite All Sources Properly
Every time you include an idea, data point, or interpretation that is not originally yours, cite it—whether it’s from a journal article, website, report, or book. Make sure your references follow the formatting style (APA, MLA, IEEE, etc.) required by your target journal.
In the Indian context, failure to cite sources can be flagged not only by reviewers but also by university scrutiny panels. Be thorough.
Step 5: Remove Redundant or Repetitive Text
Sometimes, plagiarism percentages increase due to repeated phrases or methodological descriptions common across your own or others’ works. If these are not essential, remove or revise them. Avoid repeating background sentences across different papers unless they are cited or rephrased well.
Self-plagiarism is especially common in literature reviews and methods sections—edit these sections carefully.
Step 6: Add Your Original Interpretation
The more unique your manuscript is, the lower your plagiarism score.
Focus on:
- Your own analysis of the data
- Your conclusions and their implications
- Your critical evaluation of existing literature
Adding your voice and original insights to every section—especially results and discussion—greatly improves authenticity.
Step 7: Collaborate, But Carefully
If you worked with a thesis editor, co-author, or research assistant, make sure:
- Everyone understands the importance of originality
- No content is reused without permission or citation
- Final manuscript is reviewed by you before submission
Some Indian PhD scholars depend on agencies or freelancers—ensure the final version reflects your ideas and ethics, not shortcuts.
Step 8: Recheck Before Final Submission
Once edits are complete, re-run the manuscript through a plagiarism checker. Aim for less than 10–15% similarity (or lower if your journal demands it). Focus especially on Introduction, Literature Review, and Conclusion—these sections tend to have the highest risk of unoriginal text.
Conclusion
Plagiarism in journal manuscripts is not just about copying—it’s about academic honesty and the trust between researcher and reader. As a PhD scholar in India, your reputation depends on how ethically and responsibly you present your work. Use detection tools, paraphrase mindfully, cite everything you borrow, and ensure your manuscript reflects your original contribution. Removing plagiarism is not just about clearing software—it’s about upholding the dignity of your academic journey.