Plagiarism Policy

The Journal of Social, Science, and Management Studies (JSSMS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity and ethical publishing practices. Plagiarism, in any form, is a serious violation of academic ethics and is strictly prohibited by the journal.

Definition of Plagiarism:

Plagiarism involves using another person's ideas, processes, results, or words without proper acknowledgment. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Direct Plagiarism: Copying text verbatim from another source without citation.
• Self-Plagiarism: Reusing significant parts of one’s previously published work without proper acknowledgment.
• Mosaic Plagiarism: Integrating copied material into original work without appropriate citation or using improper citation techniques.
• Paraphrasing Plagiarism: Rewriting another person’s ideas without proper attribution or citation.

Detection of Plagiarism:

• Submission Screening: Every submitted manuscript undergoes plagiarism detection using specialized software to identify overlaps with existing literature.
• Reviewer Checks: Reviewers and editors also evaluate manuscripts for plagiarism during the peer review process, using their expertise and available tools.

Handling of Plagiarism:

• Minor Overlap (Less than 10%):
  If small instances of overlap are detected, authors are notified and asked to make revisions to properly cite and attribute sources.

• Moderate Overlap (10%-30%):
  Manuscripts with moderate plagiarism will be returned to authors for major revisions. Authors will be asked to cite sources properly and resubmit the manuscript for further evaluation.

• Severe Plagiarism (More than 30%):
  Manuscripts with significant instances of plagiarism will be outright rejected. Authors will be informed of the reason for rejection, and the issue will be documented in the journal’s records. In cases of severe or repeated offenses, the authors' institutions may be notified, and they may be banned from future submissions.

Consequences of Plagiarism:

• Manuscript Rejection: Plagiarized manuscripts will be rejected and will not be considered for publication.
• Retraction: If plagiarism is detected in a published article, it will be retracted. A retraction notice will be issued, and the article will be removed from the journal’s online archive.
• Author Ban: Authors found guilty of plagiarism may face a ban on future submissions to JSSMS.
• Institutional Notification: In cases of significant or repeated plagiarism, the authors’ affiliated institutions will be notified for further action.

Author Responsibilities:

• Originality: Authors must ensure that their work is original and appropriately cites all sources.
• Disclosure: Authors should disclose any prior submissions or publications related to the manuscript content.
• Acknowledgment: Proper acknowledgment must be given to all contributors, data sources, and references used.

Reviewers and Editors’ Role:

• Vigilance: Reviewers and editors are expected to be vigilant in identifying plagiarism and report suspected cases to the editorial office.
• Confidentiality: All allegations of plagiarism and related investigations will be handled confidentially to protect the rights and reputations of all involved parties.

Appeals and Disputes:

• Appeal Process: Authors who believe their manuscript was wrongly accused of plagiarism may submit an appeal. The appeal must be supported by a detailed explanation and any relevant evidence. The appeal will be reviewed by the editorial board.
• Resolution: Disputes will be resolved based on evidence and in accordance with the journal’s ethical policies.

By adhering to this plagiarism policy, JSSMS ensures the publication of high-quality, original research, preserving the integrity of the academic community and maintaining trust among its readers.