Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism Policy

 

Standards of Originality and Editorial Procedure

Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work. This includes:

  • Verbatim copying of text without proper attribution.
  • Paraphrasing ideas or results from other sources without citation.
  • Self-plagiarism (reusing one’s own previously published work without disclosure).
  • Presenting structural similarities in text or research data as original.

Editorial Handling Procedure

To ensure integrity, all manuscripts are screened via iThenticate and Turnitin. Our handling process is as follows:

  1. Expert Review: We do not rely solely on software percentages. Editors evaluate the substance and context of the overlap.
  2. Developmental Approach: If moderate similarity is identified (e.g., in technical methods), authors are invited to revise and provide better citations rather than facing immediate rejection.
  3. Formal Investigation: For cases of suspected serious misconduct, the journal follows the COPE Flowcharts to ensure a fair resolution.

Author Responsibilities

Authors are the ultimate guarantors of their work's originality. Key responsibilities include:

  • Ensuring every external idea, data point, or phrase is accurately cited.
  • Disclosing any previous publication of the data to avoid self-plagiarism.
  • Verifying the originality of all co-authored sections before submission.
  • Maintaining accountability for any content drafted using AI assistance.