Plagiarism and Similarity Screening Policy

The International Journal of Research in STEM Education (IJRSE) is committed to maintaining the originality, integrity, and reliability of the scholarly record. All manuscripts submitted to the journal are expected to represent original scholarly work and to provide appropriate acknowledgement and citation of ideas, words, data, figures, and other materials derived from existing sources.

IJRSE applies similarity screening as part of its editorial quality assurance and publication ethics procedures. Similarity screening is used to identify potentially problematic textual overlap; however, a similarity percentage alone is not regarded as evidence of plagiarism.

1. Similarity Screening

Manuscripts submitted to IJRSE are screened using Turnitin or other appropriate similarity-detection tools adopted by the journal.

Similarity screening forms part of the journal's initial editorial assessment and may also be repeated at later stages of the editorial or publication process when necessary.

The resulting similarity report is reviewed by the editorial team to identify the nature, extent, and context of textual overlap.

2. Similarity Threshold

As an editorial screening standard, IJRSE normally expects an overall manuscript similarity index of less than 20%.

The 20% threshold is used as a screening indicator rather than an automatic criterion for determining plagiarism or publication eligibility. A manuscript with a similarity score above this level is not automatically considered plagiarized, just as a score below this level does not automatically establish that a manuscript is free from inappropriate textual overlap.

Editors evaluate the underlying sources and patterns of similarity before determining whether further action is required.

3. Qualitative Assessment of Similarity

Similarity reports are evaluated qualitatively and contextually. The editorial assessment may consider:

  • the source and extent of overlapping text;

  • whether the overlap occurs in quotations, references, methodological descriptions, or other legitimate contexts;

  • whether appropriate citation and attribution have been provided;

  • the concentration of overlap with a particular source;

  • whether substantial original arguments, analyses, findings, or conclusions have been reproduced from another work; and

  • whether the pattern of similarity raises concerns regarding plagiarism, duplicate publication, or inappropriate text recycling.

Accordingly, editorial decisions are not made solely on the basis of the numerical similarity score.

4. Plagiarism

IJRSE considers plagiarism to include the presentation of another person's words, ideas, data, images, arguments, or other intellectual contributions as one's own without appropriate acknowledgement.

Plagiarism may involve direct copying, insufficient paraphrasing, unattributed use of ideas or materials, or other forms of inappropriate appropriation of scholarly work.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that all sources are properly acknowledged and cited in accordance with accepted scholarly practices.

5. Text Recycling and Redundant Publication

Authors must appropriately disclose and cite their own previously published work when it is reused in a submitted manuscript.

Limited textual overlap may be acceptable in certain circumstances where repetition is technically necessary and appropriately attributed. However, substantial reuse of previously published material without adequate disclosure, inappropriate duplication of previously published findings, or redundant publication may constitute a publication ethics concern.

Manuscripts must make a sufficiently original scholarly contribution and must not substantially duplicate work already published or under consideration elsewhere.

6. Editorial Action

When similarity screening identifies potentially inappropriate textual overlap, the editorial team will assess the nature and seriousness of the concern.

Depending on the circumstances, IJRSE may:

  • request clarification from the author(s);

  • require appropriate citation, attribution, or rewriting;

  • return the manuscript for revision before peer review;

  • suspend editorial consideration while concerns are examined;

  • reject the manuscript where substantial plagiarism, redundant publication, or other serious misconduct is identified; or

  • take further action in accordance with the journal's publication ethics and misconduct policies.

Authors may be asked to provide relevant explanations or documentation when necessary.

7. Concerns Identified After Publication

If plagiarism, inappropriate text recycling, or substantial undisclosed duplication is identified or credibly alleged after publication, IJRSE will assess the matter in accordance with its Allegations of Misconduct and post-publication policies.

Depending on the nature and severity of the issue, appropriate action may include a correction, expression of concern, retraction, or other measures necessary to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

8. Author Responsibility

Authors are responsible for the originality and integrity of manuscripts submitted to IJRSE. Before submission, authors should ensure that:

  • all sources are properly cited and acknowledged;

  • quotations are clearly identified;

  • paraphrased material is expressed appropriately and attributed to its original source;

  • previously published work by the authors is properly cited and disclosed where relevant;

  • the manuscript does not contain fabricated, falsified, or improperly appropriated material; and

  • the manuscript complies with the journal's publication ethics requirements.

Submission of a manuscript to IJRSE constitutes an acknowledgement of the authors' responsibility for the originality and integrity of their work.

9. Commitment to Publication Integrity

IJRSE uses similarity screening as one component of a broader publication ethics and editorial quality assurance process. Similarity-detection software supports, but does not replace, professional editorial judgement.

The journal is committed to addressing plagiarism and inappropriate textual overlap through procedures based on evidence, contextual assessment, transparency, fairness, and protection of the scholarly record.