Screening for Plagiarism

TINOMBALA: Journal of Language Education and Social Sciences is committed to protecting the originality, credibility, and integrity of scholarly work. The journal does not tolerate plagiarism or other forms of inappropriate appropriation of intellectual work and takes appropriate measures to identify and address suspected cases of plagiarism and text misuse.

All authors are responsible for ensuring that their manuscripts represent original scholarly work and that all sources, ideas, arguments, data, and textual materials derived from other works are appropriately acknowledged.

1. Similarity and Originality Screening

All submitted manuscripts may undergo an originality and similarity screening before being sent for external peer review. The editorial office may use recognized similarity-detection tools, including:

  • Turnitin
  • iThenticate
  • Other appropriate originality-screening tools, where necessary

Similarity screening is conducted as part of the journal's editorial assessment. A similarity report is not, by itself, a determination of plagiarism. Editors assess the nature, location, extent, and source of matched text before deciding whether further action is required.

2. Similarity Assessment

TINOMBALA generally considers a similarity index of 20% or below as an initial editorial benchmark. However, this percentage is not an automatic acceptance or rejection threshold.

A manuscript with a similarity index above the benchmark may still be considered when the reported similarity results primarily from legitimate sources, such as properly cited quotations, references, standardized terminology, or conventional methodological expressions. Conversely, a manuscript with a similarity index below the benchmark may be returned, rejected, or investigated when the similarity reflects substantial unattributed copying.

Particular attention may be given to:

  • substantial verbatim copying from a single source;
  • consecutive or extensive passages reproduced without appropriate attribution;
  • inappropriate paraphrasing that closely follows the wording or structure of a source;
  • reuse of previously published material by the same authors without appropriate citation or disclosure; and
  • similarities that indicate potential duplication or inappropriate appropriation of another author's work.

Bibliographic references, properly identified quotations, commonly used technical terminology, and standardized methodological language may be considered when interpreting the similarity report.

3. Forms of Plagiarism and Text Misuse

TINOMBALA recognizes several forms of plagiarism and inappropriate text reuse, including but not limited to:

Direct Plagiarism

The reproduction of words, sentences, paragraphs, or other material from another source without appropriate quotation and attribution.

Mosaic or Patchwork Plagiarism

The inappropriate combination or modification of material from multiple sources without adequate attribution or sufficient original scholarly contribution.

Inadequate Paraphrasing

Reproducing the structure, wording, or ideas of another source with only superficial changes while failing to provide appropriate attribution.

Self-Plagiarism and Text Recycling

The substantial reuse of an author's previously published material without appropriate citation, disclosure, or justification.

Duplicate or Redundant Publication

The submission or publication of substantially overlapping research or findings without appropriate disclosure to the editor or sufficient scholarly justification.

Unattributed Use of Intellectual Material

The use of another person's ideas, arguments, data, figures, tables, instruments, or other intellectual contributions without appropriate acknowledgement.

4. Use of Artificial Intelligence

TINOMBALA recognizes that authors may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools for legitimate purposes such as language improvement, grammar correction, translation assistance, or other forms of editorial support, subject to the journal's applicable AI-use policy.

The use of AI tools does not automatically constitute plagiarism. However, authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and scholarly content of their manuscripts.

AI tools must not be used to fabricate or manipulate data, generate fictitious references, misrepresent research findings, or otherwise undermine the integrity of the research process.

Where AI has been used in a manner that requires disclosure under the journal's policy, authors must provide an appropriate statement describing the nature and purpose of that use. AI systems should not be listed as authors because they cannot assume responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, or accountability of scholarly work.

5. Actions in Cases of Suspected Plagiarism

Before Peer Review

When substantial or inappropriate similarity is identified during the initial screening, the editor may:

  • request an explanation or clarification from the authors;
  • request revision of improperly attributed or reused material;
  • return the manuscript for technical or substantive correction;
  • reject the manuscript when the overlap is substantial or indicates serious misconduct; or
  • initiate a further investigation when necessary.

The editorial response will depend on the nature and severity of the suspected violation.

During Peer Review

If plagiarism or inappropriate text reuse is identified during peer review, the editor may suspend the review process while the matter is assessed. The authors may be asked to provide an explanation or supporting information.

Where substantial misconduct is confirmed, the manuscript may be rejected.

After Publication

If credible evidence of plagiarism or other serious originality concerns emerges after publication, TINOMBALA may conduct an investigation in accordance with its publication-ethics procedures and recognized scholarly publication-ethics principles.

Depending on the findings and severity of the case, the journal may:

  • publish a correction or clarification;
  • issue an expression of concern;
  • retract the article;
  • publish a formal retraction notice;
  • notify the relevant institution or other appropriate authority; or
  • take other appropriate actions to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

Retractions and related notices will be clearly linked to the affected publication.

6. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are responsible for conducting appropriate originality checks before submission and ensuring that:

  • all sources are properly cited;
  • direct quotations are clearly identified;
  • paraphrased material is genuinely rephrased and appropriately attributed;
  • previously published material is disclosed and cited where relevant;
  • figures, tables, instruments, images, and other third-party materials are used with appropriate attribution or permission where required; and
  • the submitted manuscript contains a substantive and clearly identifiable original scholarly contribution.

Authors should not attempt to manipulate similarity-detection results by replacing words mechanically, altering formatting, or using other techniques designed to conceal textual overlap.

7. Editorial Discretion and Academic Integrity

Similarity percentages are used as an editorial screening indicator rather than as a standalone measure of academic misconduct. The final assessment of suspected plagiarism is based on the context, source, nature, extent, and purpose of the textual overlap and other available evidence.

TINOMBALA reserves the right to take appropriate action when plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct are identified, whether before or after publication.