Plagiarism Policy

Al-Qal'aa Journal for Scientific Publishing pays great attention to academic integrity, considering plagiarism in all its forms an unacceptable practice that contradicts the values of scientific research. To this end, it applies the following policies:

1. Definition of Plagiarism and its Rejected Forms

Plagiarism is defined as attributing the work, ideas, or words of others to oneself without citing the original source. Its forms include:

  • Verbatim Copying: Copying texts without quotation marks or citation.

  • Improper Paraphrasing: Making minor modifications to another text without referencing the source.

  • Use of Ideas and Data: Quoting graphs, tables, or ideas without mentioning their author.

  • Self-Plagiarism: The author republishing their previous work without reference, except in justified cases such as further development, accompanied by proper citation.

2. Detection Mechanism and Permissible Similarity Index

  • Screening Tool: The journal relies on Turnitin software as an advanced tool to detect text similarity with internet databases and previous research.

  • Maximum Similarity Limit: The journal stipulates that the total similarity index must not exceed 30%, provided that all quoted materials within this percentage are correctly cited according to the approved system.

  • Nature of the Report: The software's reports are considered an assisting tool for reviewers rather than a final verdict; they are indicators that require careful review.

3. Procedures for Handling Plagiarism Cases

If plagiarism is discovered, the journal takes the following firm actions:

  • Immediate Rejection: The research is rejected outright without being sent to the peer review committee.

  • Notifying the Author: The author is informed with the evidence and similarity reports.

  • Notifying the Employer: In severe or repeated cases, the journal may contact the researcher's affiliated academic institution.

  • Publication Ban: Involved authors may be banned from submitting new research to the journal for a specified period.

  • Article Retraction: If plagiarism is discovered post-publication, the article is retracted from the website and databases, and a formal notice explaining the reasons is published.

4. Authors' Responsibility

Authors bear full responsibility for ensuring the originality of their work. They are required to thoroughly review their research before submission, as adherence to integrity is the fundamental pillar for building trust in scientific production.