Plagiarism Policy
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1. Policy Statement
The Indian Journal of Technical Education (IJTE) is committed to maintaining originality, academic integrity and responsible scholarly publishing. Plagiarism and the unacknowledged use of another person's ideas, words, data, figures or other intellectual contributions are unacceptable.
All manuscripts submitted to IJTE are subject to plagiarism and similarity screening as part of the editorial assessment process. The journal aims to ensure that published articles represent original scholarly contributions and appropriately acknowledge previously published work.
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2. Similarity Screening Tools
IJTE may use recognised similarity-detection software, including Turnitin, iThenticate or DrillBit, to assess submitted manuscripts for textual overlap with previously published or available material.
The editorial team may screen a manuscript at initial submission or during revision or at any other appropriate stage of the publication process. Where necessary, additional checks may be conducted before acceptance or publication.
Similarity reports are used to identify overlapping text for editorial assessment. The software does not independently determine whether plagiarism has occurred.
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3. Maximum Permitted Similarity Index
IJTE permits a maximum overall similarity index of 10% for a manuscript, subject to contextual editorial assessment and the journal's applicable screening procedures.
Manuscripts exceeding the permitted threshold may be returned to the authors for explanation or revision, subjected to further examination, or rejected, depending on the extent, nature and location of the overlap.
A similarity index below 10% does not automatically establish that a manuscript is original or free from plagiarism. Similarly, a result above 10% does not, by itself, establish misconduct. Editorial decisions must consider the similarity report and the circumstances of the identified overlap.
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4. Contextual Assessment of Similarity Reports
The editorial team will examine the nature and source of textual overlap rather than relying solely on the overall similarity percentage.
The assessment may consider:
- Properly acknowledged quotations and cited material.
- The reference list and bibliography, where the screening settings permit these to be excluded or assessed separately.
- Standard technical terminology, common phrases and conventional descriptions of methods.
- Similarity arising from required declarations, templates or other standardised text.
- Overlap with the authors' own previously published work.
- Unattributed copying of text, ideas, data, figures, tables or other intellectual contributions.
- Substantial similarity in the structure, argument, results or conclusions of another work.
Legitimate overlap may be considered when interpreting the report, but it must not be used to excuse plagiarism or inappropriate reuse. Exclusions from the similarity calculation should be applied transparently and consistently; they must not be used to manipulate the score or conceal problematic overlap.
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5. Editorial Action Based on Screening Results
The editorial team will determine the appropriate action based on the similarity index, the locations and sources of overlap, the quality of attribution and the seriousness of any identified concern.
Depending on the circumstances:
- A manuscript within the 10% threshold may proceed to further editorial assessment if no serious concerns are identified.
- A manuscript exceeding 10% may be returned for clarification or revision, or rejected if the overlap is substantial or unacceptable.
- A manuscript with evidence of serious plagiarism may be rejected even if its overall similarity index is below 10%.
- Where the report is inconclusive, the editor may request additional information, conduct further checks or seek an independent assessment.
Authors must respond honestly to editorial queries and revise their manuscripts where requested. Any revised manuscript may be screened again before a final decision is made.
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6. Self-Plagiarism and Redundant Publication
Authors must acknowledge and disclose relevant use of their own previously published work. Reusing text, data, figures or substantial portions of a previous publication without appropriate attribution or disclosure may constitute inappropriate text recycling or redundant publication.
Authors must not submit the same manuscript simultaneously to multiple journals. Any substantial overlap with a previously published article, conference paper, preprint or related manuscript must be disclosed and evaluated in accordance with IJTE's submission requirements.
The editorial team will assess the extent, nature and disclosure of the overlap before deciding whether further clarification, revision, rejection or other action is appropriate.
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7. Suspected Plagiarism Before Publication
If plagiarism or inappropriate textual overlap is suspected before publication, IJTE may request an explanation from the corresponding author and, where appropriate, other authors.
The editorial team will examine the relevant passages, sources, citations and available evidence. Authors will be given a reasonable opportunity to respond where appropriate.
Depending on the findings, the journal may request correction of the manuscript, require a revised submission, reject the manuscript or take other appropriate action consistent with its Publication Ethics and Peer-Review Policies.
Serious concerns may be referred to the relevant institution or other appropriate authority where warranted.
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8. Plagiarism Discovered After Publication
If a concern about plagiarism is raised after an article has been published, IJTE will assess the allegation and review the available evidence, including the published article, the original sources and any relevant explanations or documentation.
The journal will consider the seriousness of the overlap, the extent to which the originality or reliability of the published work is affected, and whether the issue can be addressed through correction or requires more substantial action.
Depending on the findings, the journal may:
- Publish a correction where a limited and clearly identifiable problem can be remedied without undermining the integrity of the article.
- Publish an expression of concern where a significant issue remains unresolved while further investigation is pending.
- Retract the article where plagiarism or other serious problems substantially compromise the integrity of the publication.
- Notify the authors' institution or another appropriate body when warranted.
Any correction, expression of concern or retraction will be handled in accordance with IJTE's Publication Ethics Policy. The published record should clearly identify the affected article and provide an appropriate explanation of the action taken.
Allegations will be assessed fairly, and the parties concerned will normally be given an opportunity to respond, subject to the circumstances and the requirements of a proper investigation.
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9. Responsibilities of Authors
Authors are responsible for ensuring that their submissions are original, appropriately cited and compliant with IJTE's policies.
Authors must:
- Provide accurate information about previous publications and related work.
- Cite and acknowledge the sources of ideas, text, data, figures and tables.
- Obtain permission for copyrighted material where required.
- Cooperate with similarity screening and editorial enquiries.
- Provide an explanation or supporting documentation when requested.
- Correct identified problems honestly and promptly.
Authors must not attempt to manipulate similarity reports through superficial wording changes, inappropriate exclusions or other practices designed to conceal unattributed overlap.
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10. Editorial Responsibility and Consistent Application
The Editor-in-Chief and editorial team are responsible for applying this policy consistently and fairly. Editorial decisions must take account of the evidence, the nature of the overlap and the journal's publication standards.
Similarity reports and editorial findings should be handled confidentially and used for legitimate editorial purposes. Where appropriate, the journal may retain relevant reports and correspondence in accordance with its record-management and privacy procedures.
This policy should be read together with IJTE's Publication Ethics Statement, Peer-Review Policy and Author Guidelines.
Editorial contact: editor@ijteonline.in
Journal website: https://www.ijteonline.in/
