All submitted manuscripts are screened using Turnitin or iThenticate before or during editorial assessment and may be screened again before publication.
The recommended overall similarity score is below 20%. However, a similarity percentage is only an indicator; editors evaluate the nature, location, and source of overlap rather than relying solely on a numerical threshold.
Properly quoted text, references, standard methodological phrases, institutional names, and preprints may require contextual editorial assessment. Unattributed copying, close paraphrasing, duplicate publication, translation plagiarism, and text recycling that misrepresents originality are unacceptable.
Manuscripts with correctable overlap may be returned for revision. Serious plagiarism, data or image manipulation, duplicate publication, or deliberate concealment may result in rejection, notification of relevant institutions, correction, expression of concern, or retraction as appropriate.
Authors remain responsible for ensuring originality and accurate citation even when language-editing or generative-AI tools are used.
