Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism/Similarity Policy
JESCS (Journal of Education, Social & Communication Studies) is committed to maintaining academic integrity, originality, and ethical standards in scholarly publishing. The journal strictly prohibits plagiarism, self-plagiarism, duplicate publication, data fabrication, data falsification, and other forms of publication misconduct.
1. Similarity Screening
All manuscripts submitted to JESCS are subject to plagiarism and similarity screening using recognized similarity-checking software, such as Turnitin and/or iThenticate, before proceeding to the peer-review process. The screening process aims to identify textual similarities with previously published works, online sources, academic publications, and other accessible documents.
JESCS establishes a maximum similarity index of 20% after applicable exclusions. The similarity index is used as an initial screening indicator and must be interpreted in conjunction with a careful editorial assessment of the similarity report.
2. Exclusions from the Similarity Calculation
For the purpose of evaluating compliance with the 20% similarity threshold, JESCS may exclude the following categories from the similarity calculation, provided that the exclusions are available in the software, applied consistently, and do not conceal inappropriate textual overlap.
a. Reference List and Bibliography
The reference list or bibliography may be excluded from the similarity calculation because bibliographic entries commonly contain standardized information, including author names, publication titles, journal names, publication years, volume and issue numbers, page ranges, and DOI or URL information.
b. Properly Identified Direct Quotations
Properly identified direct quotations may be excluded from the similarity calculation when they are clearly distinguished from the author's own writing, accurately reproduced, appropriately cited, and accompanied by page numbers or other location information where applicable.
Quoted material must be used only when academically justified and must comply with applicable copyright requirements. Excluding quotations from the similarity calculation does not exempt authors from the obligation to provide proper attribution.
c. Common Phrases and Standard Terminology
Common phrases, standard technical terminology, conventional academic expressions, and unavoidable textual matches may be considered legitimate similarities when they do not constitute substantial appropriation of another author's original ideas or expression.
Such matches should be assessed in context. They should not automatically be excluded merely because they consist of short phrases or technical terms.
d. Other Legitimate Matches
Other legitimate matches, such as standard methodological expressions, institutional names, official terminology, and commonly used descriptions, may be considered during editorial evaluation when appropriate. Any exclusion must be justified by the nature of the matching text and must not be used to conceal plagiarism or excessive textual overlap.
3. Consistent Application of Software Exclusions
The editorial team is responsible for ensuring that similarity-screening settings are applied consistently across submitted manuscripts. Where supported by the software, the reference list, properly identified quotations, and other eligible text matches may be excluded from the reported similarity calculation.
The journal must distinguish between the overall similarity score and the similarity score after exclusions. Editorial decisions regarding compliance with the 20% threshold should be based on the appropriately configured report, together with an assessment of the matching passages.
Exclusions must not be used to artificially reduce similarity scores or to disregard substantial copying, unattributed borrowing, or inappropriate reuse of previously published material.
4. Maximum Similarity Threshold
JESCS applies a maximum similarity threshold of 20% after applicable exclusions. Manuscripts exceeding this threshold may be returned to the authors for revision, subjected to further editorial assessment, or rejected, depending on the extent, nature, and distribution of the identified similarities.
A manuscript with a similarity score of 20% or lower is not automatically considered free from plagiarism. Conversely, a manuscript exceeding 20% does not necessarily establish plagiarism without further examination. The editorial team evaluates the source, context, extent, and distribution of the matching text before making a decision.
Particular attention is given to substantial unattributed copying, inappropriate paraphrasing, excessive reuse of the authors' own previously published material, and overlap with existing publications that may compromise the originality of the manuscript.
5. Authors' Responsibilities
Authors are responsible for ensuring that their manuscripts represent original scholarly work and that all ideas, statements, data, figures, tables, and other materials obtained from external sources are appropriately acknowledged and cited.
Authors must ensure that direct quotations are clearly identified, paraphrased material is properly attributed, and previously published work is reused in accordance with applicable copyright requirements and publication ethics standards.
Authors must not manipulate manuscripts or similarity-screening settings to evade plagiarism detection. Any substantial overlap with the authors' previous publications must be transparently disclosed and appropriately justified.
6. Editorial Actions
If a manuscript exceeds the similarity threshold or contains questionable textual overlap, the editorial team may request revisions, clarification, or additional documentation from the authors.
Where plagiarism or other publication misconduct is established, JESCS reserves the right to reject the manuscript or take other appropriate action in accordance with the journal's publication ethics policies.
If misconduct is identified after publication, the journal may issue a correction, expression of concern, or retraction, depending on the severity of the case and the applicable editorial procedures.
7. Final Statement
The 20% similarity threshold is an editorial screening criterion established by JESCS and is not a guarantee that a manuscript with a lower score is free from plagiarism. All similarity reports must be evaluated in context by the editorial team.
JESCS is committed to promoting originality, transparency, academic integrity, and responsible scholarly communication throughout the submission, peer-review, and publication processes.
By submitting a manuscript to JESCS, authors acknowledge and agree to comply with this Plagiarism/Similarity Policy and the journal's applicable publication ethics requirements.
