Provenance
Duplicate publication rules in research
Short answer
- Rule book
- ICMJE Recommendations, section III.D, Overlapping Publications 1
- Latest update
- January 2026 2
- Possible outcome for undisclosed duplicates
- Retraction, with or without the author's approval 1
- Trial registry results
- Not prior publication if limited to a brief structured abstract or tables 1
What the rule covers
The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors publishes the Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals 2. Its section on overlapping publications defines duplicate publication as publication of a paper that overlaps substantially with one already published, without clear, visible reference to the previous publication 1.
The rule is a provenance rule for findings. A reader counting studies needs to know whether two papers report one data set or two. ICMJE says manuscripts from the same data set should be considered independently, as they may differ in analytic methods, conclusions or both 1.
When secondary publication is allowed
- The authors have received approval from the editors of both journals 1.
- The priority of the primary publication is respected through a publication interval negotiated by both editors with the authors 1.
- The paper is intended for a different group of readers 1.
- The secondary version faithfully reflects the authors, data and interpretations of the primary version 1.
- The secondary version tells readers, peers and documenting agencies that the paper has been published elsewhere, for example with a note that it is based on a study first reported in the named journal, with full reference 1.
- The title of the secondary publication indicates that it is a secondary publication 1.
Preprints and registry results
| Situation | ICMJE position |
|---|---|
| Preprint posted before submission | May influence a journal's interest in or priority for peer review. Authors must tell the journal about it and update it to point to later versions 1 |
| Posting the published article as a preprint | Authors should not post the published article or interim versions with journal-driven revisions 1 |
| Trial results in a registry | Not counted as prior publication if limited to a brief structured abstract or tables 1 |
What editors do when they find a duplicate
ICMJE says that if an editor was unaware of a duplicate and the article is already published, the article might warrant retraction with or without the author's explanation or approval 1. It refers editors to the COPE flowcharts for further guidance on handling duplicate publication 1.
The parallel in journalism
News codes take a similar line on reuse without credit. The SPJ Code of Ethics, revised 4 October 2026, says never plagiarize and always attribute 3. It asks journalists to use original sources whenever possible 3. In both fields, a clear record of where material first appeared lets readers avoid counting one source twice.
Common questions
Is publishing the same study in two languages allowed?
ICMJE allows secondary publication for a different group of readers if both journal editors approve and the secondary version cites the primary paper 1.
Does a preprint count as duplicate publication?
ICMJE says a preprint may influence a journal's interest or priority for review. Authors must disclose it to the journal 1.
Do trial registry results count as prior publication?
Not if they are limited to a brief structured abstract or tables, according to ICMJE 1.
What happens if a duplicate is found after publication?
ICMJE says the article might warrant retraction, with or without the author's explanation or approval 1.
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Sources
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