In a perplexing case involving academic fraud, Wiley, the parent company of Hindawi, has decided to revisit a plagiarism investigation after concerns were raised regarding a deceased researcher's work. The incident centers around a paper published in Security and Communication Networks, a Hindawi journal, which allegedly included content plagiarized from the late Dr. Khurshid Asghar's PhD thesis without the knowledge or consent of his supervisor, Dr. Zulfiqar Habib.
Chronology of Events:
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Dr. Zulfiqar Habib, dean of computer science at COMSATS University Islamabad, discovered part of a former PhD student's dissertation published in a scientific journal after the student's death.
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Upon raising concerns with Roberto Di Pietro, chief editor of Security and Communication Networks, an investigation ensued, but its transparency was questioned.
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Dr. Habib alleged academic fraud, emphasizing that the authors had published Asghar's work without proper authorization.
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Hindawi's research integrity specialist claimed that the authors had Asghar's consent and were willing to add Dr. Habib to the author list, an offer he declined.
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Hindawi closed the case in June 2022, asserting that an investigation committee found no plagiarism.
Reopening of the Case:
Wiley has now decided to reopen the case, acknowledging limitations in the initial investigation following Retraction Watch's inquiry. A spokesperson for Wiley stated that they are aware of the concerns and will reach out to all parties involved to ensure a thorough and appropriate outcome.
Response from Wiley:
In response to the reopened investigation, a Wiley spokesperson highlighted their commitment to addressing the matter promptly and ensuring a fair resolution.
University and Authors' Silence:
COMSATS University Islamabad and the authors involved in the disputed paper have not provided comments or responses to inquiries.
As the case unfolds, the scholarly community watches closely, emphasizing the importance of research integrity and ethical publishing practices.
More: https://retractionwatch.com/2024/01/22/wiley-reopens-plagiarism-case-about-dead-researchers-work/
