Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is a serious breach of academic integrity and publishing ethics. The journal adheres to the principles and best-practice guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) in defining, identifying, and addressing plagiarism.

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the unauthorized use or close imitation of another author’s language, ideas, data, figures, tables, or creative work without appropriate acknowledgment. It also encompasses self-plagiarism, redundant publication, and salami publication.

To manage allegations of plagiarism, a member of the journal’s editorial team investigates all suspected cases. Authors are strongly advised to familiarize themselves with COPE recommendations prior to submission and to ensure that their work is original and ethically sound.

Authors’ Responsibilities

  1. Originality and Prior Publication: Authors must ensure that submitted manuscripts are original, have not been previously published, and are not under consideration by another journal. Any overlap with previously published work must be clearly disclosed and properly cited.
  2. Proper Acknowledgment of Sources: Authors must appropriately cite all sources used in their work. This includes text, data, tables, figures, images, and ideas derived from other publications or sources. Proper citation is required to give due credit and to avoid plagiarism or misappropriation of intellectual property.
  3. Similarity Assessment and Plagiarism Screening: Authors are encouraged to screen their manuscripts using plagiarism detection software prior to submission. The journal applies a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism. Manuscripts are considered for review only if they meet the following similarity thresholds:
    • Overall Similarity Index: ≤ 19%
    • Single Source Similarity Index: ≤ 3%

Similarity levels exceeding these limits may be considered evidence of plagiarism or redundant publication.

Use of Plagiarism Detection Software

All submitted manuscripts are screened using Turnitin, a widely recognized plagiarism detection system. Turnitin compares submitted content against a comprehensive database of published literature, academic sources, and online material to identify overlapping or duplicated content.

Editorial Actions in Cases of Plagiarism

  • Pre-Publication Detection: If plagiarism is identified during the editorial or peer-review process, the manuscript will be rejected without further consideration. Depending on the severity of the misconduct, the authors’ institutions may be notified.
  • Post-Publication Detection: If plagiarism is discovered after publication, the journal will take appropriate action, which may include issuing a correction, an expression of concern, or a retraction, depending on the nature and extent of the ethical breach. Retracted or corrected articles will be clearly labeled to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

By submitting a manuscript, authors agree to comply with this plagiarism policy and acknowledge that the journal follows COPE ethical standards in handling all cases of suspected misconduct. The journal is committed to preserving the integrity, transparency, and credibility of the academic record.