Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism Policy

Introduction

This journal upholds a rigorous anti-plagiarism policy to protect the integrity and originality of all published scholarly content. We are firmly committed to disseminating original research in accordance with the highest standards of academic and publication ethics. This policy outlines the journal’s stance on plagiarism, the mechanisms employed for its detection, and the procedures followed when it is identified. By submitting a manuscript, authors affirm that their work is original and free from any form of plagiarism.

 

Definition

Plagiarism is defined as the unauthorized use or presentation of another individual’s ideas, language, data, or creative work without proper acknowledgment. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Copying text, phrases, or substantial content verbatim without quotation marks and appropriate citation.
• Closely paraphrasing another's work without sufficient acknowledgment.
• Reproducing figures, tables, datasets, or findings from other sources without proper attribution or permission.
• Presenting existing concepts, interpretations, or theories as if they are the author's own original contributions.
• Engaging in self-plagiarism by republishing significant portions of previously disseminated work without clear citation or justification.

Plagiarism in any form is considered a serious violation of scholarly ethics and is strictly prohibited. Authors are expected to appropriately credit the intellectual contributions of others in all submitted work.

Policy Guidelines

1. Plagiarism Screening. All submitted manuscripts are subjected to a comprehensive plagiarism screening process prior to peer review.
2. Detection Tool. The journal employs Turnitin, a widely recognized plagiarism detection system, to assess textual similarity.
3. Similarity Threshold. Manuscripts that yield an overall similarity score exceeding 20% will undergo further editorial scrutiny. The editorial team recognizes that similarity indices must be interpreted with discretion and contextual awareness.
4. Exclusions from Analysis. To ensure accuracy, the plagiarism detection tool is configured to exclude bibliographies and accurately quoted material (enclosed in quotation marks and properly cited) from the similarity index.
5. Consequences of Plagiarism.

• Before Publication: If plagiarism is identified prior to publication, the manuscript will be rejected. The corresponding author will be notified, and in cases of significant or deliberate plagiarism, the authors’ affiliated institutions may also be informed.
• After Publication: Should plagiarism be discovered post-publication, the journal will initiate a formal investigation. Upon verification, the article will be formally retracted, and a retraction notice will be issued. The authors’ institutions will be notified.

The journal reserves the right to impose additional measures based on the nature and extent of the infraction. 

Implementation Procedures

1. Initial Screening. Upon submission, the editorial office conducts a plagiarism scan using Turnitin to generate a similarity report.
2. Evaluation Process. Editorial staff review each report with care. A high similarity score does not automatically indicate plagiarism. Editors are responsible for discerning whether flagged content reflects ethical concerns or acceptable academic conventions (e.g., standard methodological phrasing or correctly cited excerpts).
3. Authorial Accountability. Authors bear full responsibility for the originality of their submissions and for properly citing all referenced material. Permission must be obtained for any copyrighted content used within the manuscript.
4. Handling Allegations. In cases of suspected plagiarism, the journal adheres to ethical protocols to investigate and address concerns. Authors will be given an opportunity to respond to any allegations.
5. Transparency and Communication. The journal is committed to transparency in its plagiarism detection and resolution procedures. Authors are encouraged to contact the editorial office with any inquiries regarding the process.
6. Ongoing Policy Review. To ensure continued alignment with evolving standards of academic publishing, this policy and its enforcement procedures are reviewed and refined on a regular basis.