Plagiarism Policy

All submitted manuscripts are screened using similarity-detection software.

As a preliminary editorial rule, the overall similarity score should normally not exceed 20% after excluding the bibliography, properly quoted text, and standard methodological phrases.

A similarity score above 20% triggers manual editorial assessment and does not automatically establish plagiarism or determine rejection. The editors assess the source, extent, distribution, and nature of the overlap.

Forms of unacceptable overlap

The policy covers plagiarism, self-plagiarism, duplicate submission, redundant publication, translated duplicate publication, unattributed reuse of text, data or images, and citation practices designed to manipulate metrics.

Editorial response

Before publication, the journal may request clarification or correction, return a manuscript for revision, reject it, or contact the authors’ institutions when serious concerns are supported by evidence. After publication, the journal may issue a correction, expression of concern, or retraction, following a documented assessment and an opportunity for the authors to respond.