National Accreditation
View Journal Accreditation Plagiarism Policy
Originality and Responsible Attribution
Plagiarism and Similarity Screening Policy
Journal of Science and Education (JSE) requires original scholarly work and appropriate acknowledgement of sources. This policy explains how the journal screens manuscripts, assesses textual overlap, and addresses suspected plagiarism. It complements the journal's Publication Ethics policy .
1. Plagiarism and Inappropriate Reuse
Plagiarism occurs when another person's words, ideas, data, images, or other intellectual contributions are presented as the author's own without appropriate acknowledgement. It may involve direct copying, close paraphrasing, translation without attribution, or the appropriation of research findings.
Undisclosed reuse of an author's own published material, substantial overlap with earlier work, and duplicate publication are related concerns. Authors must disclose relevant previous work and explain the contribution of the submitted manuscript.
2. Similarity Screening and the 20% Indicator
JSE uses Turnitin to support similarity screening during initial editorial checks and before publication. Additional checks may be conducted when concerns arise or substantial revisions are made.
A similarity report identifies matching text; it does not independently establish plagiarism. Editors examine the matched sources, attribution, context, and significance of the overlap.
JSE uses an overall similarity score above 20% as a trigger for additional editorial examination. This is a journal screening indicator, not an allowance for plagiarism or a threshold prescribed by COPE or DOAJ.
- A score of 20% or below does not establish originality or guarantee that a manuscript will proceed.
- A score above 20% does not automatically establish plagiarism or require rejection.
- Legitimate matches may include references, properly identified quotations, standard terminology, and disclosed earlier versions of the same manuscript.
- Substantial copying from a single source or appropriation of an important idea or finding may be serious even when the overall score is low.
3. Editorial Assessment of Similarity Reports
Editors consider both the amount of overlap and its nature. Report settings and any exclusions, such as references or properly marked quotations, must be applied consistently and documented where relevant to the decision.
Authors may be asked to explain matched passages, identify earlier versions, provide sources, or revise inadequately attributed text. Legitimate overlap may be accepted where the editor records an appropriate justification.
Revisions must address originality and attribution rather than merely reduce a numerical score. Superficial word substitution does not resolve the appropriation of another person's ideas, data, or findings.
4. Quotations, Attribution, and Permissions
Reproduce exact wording only when academically justified. Identify it using quotation marks or an appropriate block quotation and cite the original source. Paraphrases must genuinely restate the material and still acknowledge the source.
Authors must also observe the applicable licence and obtain permission for reused material where required. Attribution and permission are separate responsibilities: citation alone does not establish permission to reproduce material. This policy does not define permission requirements by a fixed number of sentences.
5. Assessment of Suspected Cases
- Collect evidence. The handling editor examines the relevant passages, source materials, similarity report, and any supporting information.
- Assess the concern independently. An editor without a conflict of interest evaluates the extent, context, attribution, originality, and significance of the material involved.
- Seek an explanation. Authors are informed of the concern and given a reasonable opportunity to respond. Editorial processing may be paused while the issue is assessed.
- Determine a proportionate response. The editor considers the evidence and authors' explanation. Action is not based solely on the similarity percentage or the length of a matched passage.
- Document and communicate the outcome. Authors receive the decision and reasons. Serious or unresolved concerns may be referred to the relevant institution, publisher, or other appropriate body.
6. Possible Editorial Actions Before Publication
| Assessment | Possible Action |
|---|---|
| Legitimate or Adequately Explained Overlap | Continue editorial assessment where the manuscript otherwise meets the journal's requirements. |
| Limited Attribution or Quotation Problems | Request correction, appropriate quotation, attribution, or clarification, followed by reassessment before processing continues. |
| Substantial or Serious Plagiarism | Reject the manuscript where the evidence supports that decision after assessment of the authors' response. Institutional referral or other action may be appropriate in serious or unresolved cases. |
Correcting a citation or changing wording may be insufficient where the manuscript's central contribution has been appropriated. Editorial responses follow the evidence and circumstances of the case.
7. Concerns Identified After Publication
Suspected plagiarism in a published article is assessed using documentary evidence and, where appropriate, explanations from the authors and relevant institutions.
Depending on the findings, the journal may publish a correction, an expression of concern, or a retraction. Such action follows the post-publication procedures in the Publication Ethics policy . Material concerns are not resolved through undisclosed rewriting of the published article.
8. Reporting Concerns and Requesting Review
Authors, reviewers, and readers may report suspected plagiarism to the editorial office. Include the manuscript ID or article DOI, the original source, and the passages or material of concern.
Authors may request review of a decision by providing specific evidence of a factual or procedural error. Complaints and appeals are handled under the journal's Publication Ethics policy by a person without a conflict of interest.
Contact: jse@mediadigitalpublikasi.com .
