## CARTAS AL EDITOR

Se invita a los lectores a enviar cartas al Editor, con comentarios, preguntas o críticas sobre artículos que hayan sido publicados en la Revista y a las que los autores aludidos puedan responder. También serán bienvenidos los comentarios sobre problemas de actualidad biomédica, clínica, de salud pública, de ética y de educación médica. Podrá aceptarse la comunicación preliminar de datos parciales de una investigación en marcha, que no haya sido publicada ni sometida a publicación en otra revista. La extensión máxima aceptable es de 1.000 palabras, con un máximo de 6 referencias bibliográficas (incluyendo el artículo que la motivó) y 1 Tabla o Figura. Se recomienda adjuntar una copia idéntica para PC, en diskette de 3,5", un espaciado a 1,5 líneas, tamaño de letra 12 pt y justificada a la izquierda. Las cartas que se acepten podrán ser acortadas y modificadas formalmente, por los Editores.

# Precautions for the Prevention of Plagiarism

## Precauciones para la prevención de plagios

Dear Editor: We read with great interest the Editorial article by Dr. Reyes entitled "Hones ty and good faith: Two cornerstones in the ethics of biomedical publications"<fnref n="1" />. It contains very didac tic elements about plagiarism for authors, editors and publishers. Despite prevailing laws and pre cautions, this scientific misconduct (plagiarism) has become an increasing problem for medical journals worldwide.

Vogelsang<fnref n="2" /> emphasized strategies for the prevention of this problem in her excellent review, about ten years ago, yet this scientific problem has not changed in the course of time.

On the contrary, it is becoming common and frequent.

Allow us to share precautions for preventing plagiarism as summarized in Table 1<sup>2-5</sup>.

Sincerely,

Murat Enoz, MD<fnref n="1" />, José Florencio Lapeña, MA MD<fnref n="2" />.

<footnote n="1">¹Department of Otorrhinolaringology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maresal Cakmak Military Hospital. Erzurum, Turkey.</footnote>

<footnote n="2">²College of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines.</footnote>

<footnote>Corresponding author: Murat Enoz. Deniz Abdal Mahallesi, Veled Celebi Sokak, N° 42 Isik Apartmani, A Blok, Daire: 9, Findikade, Fatih, Postal Code: 34093, İstanbul, Turkey. Phone: +905554293937. Fax: +902123439040. Email: muratenoz@gmail.com</footnote>
<caption>**Table 1<sup>2-5</sup>. Precautions for the prevention of plagiarism**</caption>

For authors:

- Specific facts and assertions require a reference.

- Notes reflect an original author and require full references.

- Quotation marks are used when more than six words are lifted verbatim.

- Paraphrase ideas but reference the original sources.

- Use your own words to express another author's idea.

- Acknowledge classic references (those over 10 years).

- Understand what constitutes common knowledge and fair use.

For editors, referees, publishers and journal office workers:

- Unpublished material is the exclusive property of the original author.

- Written permission is required for the use of all cartoons, drawings, figures.

- Written permission is required for the use of all published materials

- Internet must be searched for similar copyrighted material.

- Remind authors about plagiarism in «author guide» of journals.

REFERENCES

1. REYES H. [Honesty and good faith: Two cornerstones in the ethics of biomedical publications]. *Rev Méd Chil* 2007;135: 415-8.

2. VOGELSANG J. Plagiarism an act of stealing. *J Perianesth Nurs*. 1997;12: 422-5.

3. JULLIARD K. Perceptions of plagiarism in the use of

other authors' language. *Fam Med*. 1994; 26: 356-60.

4. EOYANG T. Something borrowed, something new: how to tell the difference. *Nurse Author Ed*. 1995 Spring; 5: 1-4.

5. ENOZ M. Scientific Stealing (Plagiarism) in Medical Journals. *Kulak Burun Bogaz Ihtis Derg*. (Article in press).