How to prevent or act against plagiarism phenomenon

The widespread access to new information technologies, especially the Internet, has increasingly stimulated the plagiarism phenomenon, whether consciously or not. Due to the importance of the phenomenon and its destructive impacts on knowledge progress, scientific communities have been increasingly looking for solutions to prevent or act against it. Automating plagiarism detection methods and enacting laws and regulations to prosecute violations are amongst the main solutions. Being unaware of the plagiarism definitions and types, a large number of authors commit it inadvertently or ignorantly. Thus, the present study endeavors to discuss the phenomenon and its dimensions. It also presents some instances of the world's experiences in preventing, detecting and prosecuting the violations.