ECJ

Plagiarism Screening Policy

PLAGIARISM SCREENING POLICY

English Community Journal (ECJ) is committed to maintaining academic integrity, originality, and ethical standards in scholarly publishing. All submitted manuscripts undergo similarity screening using Turnitin before proceeding to the peer-review process.

The journal adopts a maximum similarity index of 20% as an initial screening criterion. Similarity reports are evaluated by the editorial team to determine the nature, extent, and sources of textual overlap.

A similarity index below 20% does not automatically establish originality or guarantee manuscript acceptance. Likewise, a similarity index exceeding 20% does not necessarily indicate plagiarism. Editorial decisions are based on a careful examination of the similarity report, appropriate attribution, and the context of the overlapping material.

1. Forms of Plagiarism

English Community Journal recognizes the following forms of plagiarism:

1.1. Word-for-Word Plagiarism

Reproducing another author's words, sentences, or passages without appropriate quotation marks, accurate citation, or acknowledgment. Providing a citation alone does not justify presenting copied wording as original text.

1.2. Plagiarism of Ideas or Sources

Using another person's ideas, theories, arguments, interpretations, research methods, data, or findings without appropriate acknowledgment. Paraphrased materials must also be properly cited.

1.3. Plagiarism of Authorship

Presenting another person's manuscript, research findings, academic work, or intellectual contributions as one's own, either entirely or substantially.

1.4. Self-Plagiarism and Redundant Publication

Reusing substantial portions of previously published text, research data, findings, or other scholarly materials without proper citation and disclosure.

Authors who develop manuscripts from previous publications, conference papers, theses, or dissertations must appropriately acknowledge the original sources and clearly demonstrate the new scholarly contribution.

Changes in wording, article titles, or manuscript organization alone do not establish originality.

2. Similarity Screening Procedures

The editorial team conducts similarity screening as part of the initial manuscript assessment.

The screening procedure includes:

  1. Initial Screening: Submitted manuscripts are examined using Turnitin to identify potential textual overlap with existing publications and other available sources.

  2. Similarity Assessment: The editorial team evaluates the overall similarity index, individual matching sources, and the nature of the overlapping material.

  3. Editorial Clarification: Authors may be requested to explain identified similarities or provide supporting documentation.

  4. Manuscript Revision: Manuscripts requiring correction may be returned to the authors for appropriate revision and resubmission.

  5. Further Evaluation: Revised manuscripts may undergo additional similarity screening before proceeding to peer review.

The editorial team considers properly cited quotations, references, standard terminology, and commonly used methodological descriptions when interpreting similarity reports.

3. Editorial Actions

When inappropriate textual overlap or suspected plagiarism is identified, English Community Journal may take the following actions:

  • Request Clarification: Ask authors to explain similarities or provide supporting evidence.

  • Require Revision: Return manuscripts for correction of inappropriate paraphrasing, attribution, or textual overlap.

  • Reject Submission: Decline manuscripts containing substantial plagiarism, misrepresentation, or serious violations of academic integrity.

  • Conduct Further Investigation: Examine suspected misconduct in accordance with the journal's Publication Ethics policy.

  • Issue Post-Publication Action: Publish a correction, expression of concern, or retraction when justified by the available evidence and applicable ethical guidance.

Authors will be given a reasonable opportunity to respond to allegations before a final editorial decision is made.

4. Authors' Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for ensuring that submitted manuscripts represent original scholarly work and appropriately acknowledge all sources.

Authors must:

  • Provide accurate citations and references following APA 7th Edition.

  • Avoid plagiarism, inappropriate paraphrasing, and undisclosed textual reuse.

  • Disclose previous publications or related research that substantially overlaps with the submitted manuscript.

  • Verify the accuracy and originality of materials generated or assisted by artificial intelligence.

  • Cooperate with editorial requests regarding originality and research integrity.

5. Publication Ethics and COPE Guidance

English Community Journal handles suspected plagiarism and related publication misconduct in accordance with its Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement, with reference to relevant guidance issued by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Similarity-screening results are used to support editorial judgment and do not replace a fair, evidence-based assessment of potential plagiarism.

Reference

Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Guidance and resources on plagiarism and publication misconduct. https://publicationethics.org/