Plagiarism Policy

The Journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity. Plagiarism, duplicate publication, and other forms of inappropriate reuse of scholarly work are not tolerated.

All submitted manuscripts must represent original scholarly work and must appropriately acknowledge the words, ideas, data, and contributions of others.

1. Plagiarism

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

· presenting another person's words, ideas, data, or work as one's own without appropriate attribution;

· copying substantial portions of another work without proper citation;

· reproducing text without appropriate quotation or acknowledgment where required;

· inappropriate paraphrasing that substantially follows the original source without adequate attribution;

· using another person's data, tables, figures, or other materials without appropriate acknowledgment or permission where required; and

· substantial reuse of an author's previously published work without appropriate disclosure or citation.

2. Similarity Screening

All submitted manuscripts may be screened using Turnitin and/or iThenticate as part of the Journal's editorial quality-control process.

Similarity screening may be conducted at different stages, including:

· initial editorial screening;

· before or during peer review;

· during manuscript revision; and

· before final publication, where considered necessary.

The purpose of similarity screening is to identify potentially inappropriate textual overlap and support the Journal's assessment of academic originality and integrity.

3. Interpretation of Similarity Results

A similarity score is not, by itself, a determination of plagiarism.

Similarity may occur for legitimate reasons, including properly cited quotations, references, commonly used terminology, standard methodological descriptions, institutional names, or other unavoidable textual matches.

The editorial team therefore evaluates the similarity percentage, matching sources, location of the overlap, nature of the text, citation practices, and overall context before determining whether inappropriate reuse has occurred.

The Journal may establish an internal similarity threshold for editorial screening; however, the final assessment is based on the substance and context of the identified similarities rather than on a percentage alone.

4. Editorial Action Before Publication

If potentially problematic similarity is identified, the Journal may:

· request clarification from the authors;

· require appropriate citation or revision;

· request a revised manuscript;

· conduct further editorial assessment;

· refer the matter to the appropriate institution where necessary; or

· reject the manuscript.

The action taken will depend on the nature, extent, and seriousness of the suspected violation.

5. Serious Cases of Plagiarism

Where substantial plagiarism or other serious forms of academic misconduct are confirmed, the manuscript may be rejected immediately.

The Journal may also restrict further consideration of the submission and, where appropriate, notify the relevant institutional or academic authority.

6. Plagiarism Discovered After Publication

If plagiarism or substantial inappropriate reuse is identified after publication, the Journal will investigate the matter and take appropriate action to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

Depending on the circumstances, the Journal may:

· publish a correction;

· issue an Expression of Concern;

· retract the article; or

· take other appropriate editorial action.

Post-publication actions are governed by the Journal's Retraction & Correction Policy.