Plagiarism Policy

1. Definition and Scope of Plagiarism

Plagiarism refers to presenting another person's words, ideas, research findings, data, images, figures, tables, or other intellectual contributions as one's own without appropriate acknowledgment.

The journal considers the following practices when evaluating originality and potential publication misconduct:

• Reproducing text from another source without appropriate quotation or acknowledgment.
• Paraphrasing another author's ideas without proper citation.
• Using previously published data, figures, tables, or other materials without appropriate attribution or permission where required.
• Submitting substantially overlapping or previously published work without appropriate disclosure.
• Reusing substantial portions of one's own previously published work without appropriate acknowledgment, where such reuse constitutes inappropriate text recycling or redundant publication.

Legitimate quotation, properly acknowledged reuse, and transparently disclosed preprints are evaluated in context and are not automatically classified as plagiarism.

2. Similarity Screening

The editorial team uses Turnitin to conduct textual similarity screening during the initial editorial assessment, normally before manuscripts proceed to peer review.

Additional similarity checks may be conducted after substantial revisions or before final acceptance when necessary.

Turnitin similarity reports are reviewed by the editorial team to identify potentially problematic textual overlap. The assessment considers the location, extent, nature, and sources of similarity, including whether the overlapping material has been properly attributed.

3. Similarity Assessment Criteria

APLIKATIF does not use a fixed similarity percentage as the sole criterion for determining plagiarism or deciding manuscript acceptance or rejection.

When reviewing a similarity report, editors consider:

• The extent and concentration of overlapping text.
• The sections of the manuscript in which the overlap occurs.
• The presence and accuracy of citations, quotation marks, and source acknowledgment.
• Whether the overlap involves original arguments, interpretations, findings, or other substantive scholarly contributions.
• Whether the material has previously appeared in a preprint, thesis, conference proceeding, or other scholarly publication.
• Whether overlapping material constitutes legitimate reuse, inadequate attribution, inappropriate text recycling, or potentially serious plagiarism.

4. Editorial Assessment and Decisions

When potentially problematic textual overlap is identified, the editorial team examines the relevant passages and supporting sources before reaching an editorial decision.

Authors may be requested to clarify the overlapping material, provide supporting information, correct inadequate attribution, or revise affected sections of the manuscript.

Depending on the nature and seriousness of the findings, editorial action may include:

• Proceeding with editorial assessment when no substantive problem is identified.
• Requesting corrections or manuscript revisions to address inadequate attribution or inappropriate textual overlap.
• Rejecting manuscripts when serious plagiarism or unacceptable redundant publication is established.
• Referring serious or unresolved integrity concerns for further assessment under the journal's Research Misconduct Policy.

Editorial decisions are based on documented evidence, scholarly judgment, and the seriousness of the identified concerns, rather than on similarity percentages alone.

5. Author Clarification and Fair Assessment

Suspected plagiarism is assessed fairly and confidentially without presuming misconduct. Authors are normally given an opportunity to respond to substantive concerns and provide relevant explanations or supporting evidence before serious adverse editorial decisions are finalized.

Allegations requiring further investigation are handled in accordance with the journal's Research Misconduct Policy .

6. Plagiarism Identified After Publication

Allegations of plagiarism involving published articles are examined by the editorial team in accordance with the journal's publication integrity policies and relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Depending on the evidence and seriousness of the violation, appropriate editorial action may include a formal correction, an Expression of Concern, or retraction when justified.

Post-publication decisions are governed by the Correction, Expression of Concern, and Retraction Policy .

7. Reporting Suspected Plagiarism

Authors, reviewers, readers, and members of the scholarly community are encouraged to report suspected plagiarism or substantial undisclosed overlap to the editorial office.

Reports should identify the relevant manuscript or published article and provide specific supporting information or references to the potentially overlapping sources.

Reports are assessed confidentially and proportionately, with consideration for the rights of all parties involved.

8. Related Policies and Guidelines

This policy should be read together with the following journal policies:

• Publication Ethics
• Research Misconduct Policy
• Correction and Retraction Policy
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy

The journal's editorial procedures are informed by relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) .