Q: Is a similarity check needed after a major revision?
The manuscript had gone through a similarity check before submission. However, I have now made major revisions (almost half of the entire article) as per the editor’s request. Do I have to do another similarity check?
The similarity check is not usually needed at this stage. However, as the manuscript has changed about 50% and also because this is something that is playing on your mind, it might be a good idea to go ahead with it. It may be that you inadvertently referenced but did not change the wordings from some of your own previous papers or those from other papers. Doing a check at this stage also shows that you are being diligent throughout the process and also reflects great academic integrity, one of the many personal attributes of a successful researcher. So, kudos for that!
Do note though that while editors perform a similarity or plagiarism check of their own, they do not rely only on the results of the check, but also on their own discretion, as you can read here.
If updating the manuscript for the results of the similarity check is likely to take time, you will need to inform the editor in case there is a deadline for submitting the revised manuscript. If not, you may still inform the editor when submitting the revised manuscript that you did a similarity check at this stage. In either case, they are likely to appreciate your diligence and sincerity.
All the best for the next stages of your manuscript!
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This content belongs to the Conducting Research Stage