Plagiarism

1. Scope of Screening

All manuscripts are screened for originality prior to peer review, including:

  • Text similarity
  • Self-plagiarism (reuse without proper citation)
  • Redundant or duplicate publication
  • Improper paraphrasing or unattributed sources
  • Reuse of figures, tables, or data without attribution

Screening combines plagiarism-detection software with editorial assessment.

2. Evaluation of Similarity Reports

Similarity reports are interpreted contextually rather than by fixed cut-offs. Editorial decisions consider:

  • Nature and location of overlap
  • Impact on originality of results, analysis, or conclusions
  • Proper citation of sources and quotations
  • Acceptable overlap in standard methods or terminology

Similarity Reference Levels (indicative):

  • Overall similarity: ≤ 20%
  • Single-source similarity: ≤ 5%
  • Exclusions: references, quotations, standard methodological phrases

Submissions exceeding these levels may still be considered, depending on whether overlap affects core arguments, data, or results.

3. Acceptable and Unacceptable Overlap

Acceptable:

  • Properly cited quotations
  • References and bibliography
  • Standard methodological or technical phrasing

Unacceptable:

  • Copying without citation
  • Paraphrasing without attribution
  • Simultaneous submission to multiple journals
  • “Salami slicing” (fragmenting one study)
  • Republishing prior work without disclosure

4. Misconduct Definitions

For clarity, the journal defines key forms of misconduct as follows:

  • Plagiarism: Presentation of another person’s work, ideas, or expressions as one’s own without proper acknowledgment or citation.
  • Data fabrication/falsification: Making up data, altering data, or manipulating research processes or images such that the research record is misrepresented.
  • Citation manipulation: Deliberate inclusion of irrelevant or excessive citations to inflate citation metrics or improperly influence journal or author impact.

5. Self-Plagiarism

Reusing one’s own published material without citation is not permitted. Prior work must be clearly acknowledged and distinguished from new contributions.

6. Data, Figures and Image Integrity

Authors must ensure all data and visuals are original and accurate. The following are prohibited:

  • Data fabrication or falsification
  • Misleading image manipulation
  • Reuse without proper citation or permission

Editors may request original files or supporting materials.

7. Transparency in Editorial Process

  • Responsibility: Similarity checks are conducted by the editorial office and/or handling editors using recognized plagiarism-detection software.
  • Stages of screening:
  •  
    • At initial submission (prior to peer review)
    • During revision (where necessary)
    • Prior to final acceptance or publication

All reports are reviewed and interpreted by editors in accordance with COPE guidance.

8. Editorial Actions and Investigation

Suspected ethical issues are handled through:

  • Initial editorial assessment
  • Author clarification
  • Further review (including additional checks if needed)
  • Decision based on evidence and COPE guidance

Authors are given an opportunity to respond before final decisions.

9. Appeals and Complaints

Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions or raise complaints. Appeals must:

  • Be submitted in writing to the editorial office
  • Clearly state the grounds for appeal with supporting evidence

Appeals are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and, where appropriate, independent editorial board members. Decisions following appeal are final.

10. Sanctions Policy

Confirmed cases of plagiarism or ethical misconduct may result in one or more of the following actions:

  • Immediate rejection of the manuscript
  • Retraction of published articles
  • Temporary ban on future submissions to the journal
  • Notification of the authors’ affiliated institutions or relevant authorities
  • Publication of formal notices (e.g., corrections or retractions)

Sanctions are applied proportionately based on the severity of the misconduct and in line with COPE recommendations.

11. Post-Publication Measures

If issues arise after publication, actions may include:

  • Corrections
  • Retraction
  • Editorial notices
  • Notification of relevant institutions (where appropriate)

All updates are transparently linked to the original article.

12. Author Responsibility

Authors are fully responsible for the originality and integrity of their work, proper citation, and co-author approval. Non-compliance may result in rejection, retraction or other corrective measures.