Screening for Plagiarism

Tinombala: Journal of Social Sciences and Education maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding plagiarism. Protecting the originality of scholarly work and maintaining the integrity of the academic record are central to the journal’s mission.

1. Plagiarism Detection Tools

All manuscripts submitted to Tinombala undergo a rigorous originality screening prior to peer review. The editorial office utilizes recognized plagiarism detection software, including:

  • Turnitin
  • iThenticate

2. Acceptable Similarity Threshold

  • Standard Limit: The maximum acceptable similarity index is 20%.
  • Individual Source Limit: Even if the total similarity index is below 20%, manuscripts may be returned if a substantial portion of text (e.g., more than 3–5%) is taken from a single source without appropriate paraphrasing or citation.
  • Exclusions: Bibliography/references, commonly used terminology, and standardized methodological expressions may be excluded from the final similarity assessment.

3. Types of Plagiarism Monitored

The journal screens for various forms of academic misconduct, including:

  • Direct Plagiarism: Verbatim copying of another work without proper attribution.
  • Self-Plagiarism (Text Recycling): Reuse of significant portions of previously published work without appropriate citation.
  • Mosaic or Patchwork Plagiarism: Combining text from multiple sources without sufficient original contribution.
  • Unattributed AI-Assisted Content: The use of AI-generated text without proper disclosure or without substantial human critical engagement is considered a violation of originality standards.

4. Actions in Cases of Plagiarism

  • Pre-Review Stage: Manuscripts exceeding the acceptable similarity threshold may be returned for revision or rejected, depending on severity.
  • Post-Publication Stage: If plagiarism is identified after publication, the journal will conduct an investigation in accordance with established ethical guidelines (e.g., COPE). If confirmed, the article will be formally retracted, and a retraction notice will be issued.

5. Guidance for Authors

Authors are strongly encouraged to conduct originality checks prior to submission. All direct quotations must be clearly indicated, and all sources of ideas, data, or prior research must be properly cited using APA 7th Edition style. Authors are also expected to ensure that their submissions reflect substantial original contribution and critical engagement.