Are Secondary Submissions Unethical? — 4 reasons to not republish translated articles

Submitting a translated article that is already published in another language is a practice that has become increasingly popular among authors. But how ethical is it? In this blog post, we will explore the ethics of secondary submissions, and why re-publishing a translated version of an already published article can be considered misconduct. We’ll also look at how authors can avoid such misconduct and still get their work published in multiple languages.

Why Do Researchers Translate an Already Published Article?

There are a few reasons why researchers may want to translate an already published article and republish it again.
1. The original article may be in a language that is not easily accessible to the researcher’s audience. Translating the article into the researcher’s native language or a more widely-spoken language can make the research more accessible to those who are interested in reading it.
2. The original publication may have been in a less renowned journal than the researcher would like. By translating and republishing the article in a more prestigious journal, the researcher can increase its visibility and ultimately its impact.
3. The original publication may have been published many years ago, and the research may now be outdated. There may be new developments or discoveries since the original publication that would change its interpretation or relevance.  Translating and republishing an updated version of the article can ensure that readers have access to the most up-to-date information.

Is Translating an Already Published Article Ethical?

Yes, it is – if you declare that it is a translated version of an already published paper.
And
No, it isn’t – if you do not declare that it is a translated version of an already published paper and that it is not original research.
While most journals are not usually in favor of publishing content that has already been published, even in another language, there are exemptions when some journals consider the republication of already published research if it is in another language. However, these journals require you to clearly mention if your manuscript has been published previously.

Should Researchers Translate Their Already Published Article to Publish in Another Journal?

The answer to this question depends on the journal’s policies. Some journals allow researchers to submit translated versions of their articles, while others do not. If a journal does not allow translated submissions, then submitting a translated article would be considered academic misconduct.
A journal might not allow translated submissions to ensure that all of its articles are original work or if the journal has concerns about the quality of the translation.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual journal to decide whether or not to allow researchers to submit translated versions of their articles. If you are unsure about a particular journal’s policy, you should contact the editor or publisher directly to ask.

4 Reasons Why You Should Not Republish Translated Articles

When you submit a translated version of an article that has already been published, you are essentially submitting a secondary publication. This is considered academic misconduct and is frowned upon by the academic community. There are several reasons why you should not republish a translated article:
1. It could damage your reputation. The academic community takes publication ethics very seriously. If you are caught submitting a secondary publication, it could affect your reputation and make it difficult to get future papers published.
2. It can be considered self-plagiarism if you are the author of the already published paper. In academia, alike accidental plagiarism of other authors’ work, self-plagiarism is also considered unethical and could have a negative impact on your reputation in the academic community.
3. It could lead to legal trouble. If the journal where the article is already published has the rights to the article, it can decide to take legal action against you for submitting a secondary publication, and you could find yourself in hot water.
4. It’s not necessary. There are plenty of other articles out there that have not been translated into your language yet. Why waste your time translating an already published article when you could be working on something new?
Are you still contemplating whether or not to republish your already published article in its translated version?

Republishing Translated Articles Without Committing Academic Misconduct

There are a few key things to keep in mind when publishing an already published article’s translated version in order to avoid academic misconduct. By following these simple guidelines, you can avoid academic misconduct and get your research published in multiple languages.
1. It is essential to make sure that you have the authority as an author to translate the originally published article.
2, The author must also have permission from the journal where your article is published in another language.
3. When translating the article, ensure to attribute and clearly declare that this article is a translated version of an already published article and that it is not an original article. By doing so, you will ensure that your research is published ethically and in compliance with academic standards.
4. Ensure that the translated version is a reliable and accurate representation of the original article.
These ways, in addition to avoiding academic misconduct, publishing an already published article’s translated version can also help increase the visibility of your research and potentially have a greater impact on your field of study.
Ultimately, it’s up to you whether or not you want to risk submitting a translated article for publication. However, we strongly advise against it as it could lead to serious consequences for your academic career. What are your thoughts? Comment below and let us know. If you have any more queries, let us help you out as you drop these queries using #AskEnago and tagging @EnagoAcademy on Twitter, Facebook, and Quora.