Plagiarism Policy

Research Integrity Policy

Plagiarism Policy

Jurnal Agroekoteknologi Tropika Lembab is committed to protecting originality, proper attribution, and the integrity of the scholarly record through editorial assessment and similarity screening.

Every manuscript submitted to Jurnal Agroekoteknologi Tropika Lembab (JATL), internationally titled Humid Tropical Agroecotechnology Journal, must represent original scholarly work. Authors must properly acknowledge all ideas, words, data, images, tables, figures, and other materials originating from another source.

Core Principle

Similarity Is Not Automatically Plagiarism

A similarity-detection system identifies matching text; it does not independently determine whether plagiarism has occurred. Every report is assessed by an editor in context. The location, extent, source, attribution, and scholarly significance of each match are considered before an editorial decision is made.

Definitions

Plagiarism

Presenting another person's words, ideas, arguments, methods, data, images, tables, results, or other intellectual output as one's own without appropriate acknowledgment.

Text Plagiarism

Copying or closely paraphrasing text from another source without quotation, citation, or sufficiently original expression.

Idea Plagiarism

Using another person's original concept, hypothesis, interpretation, or research design without proper credit, even when different words are used.

Data and Image Plagiarism

Reusing data, photographs, illustrations, figures, maps, graphs, or tables without attribution, permission where required, or a clear statement of their original source.

Self-Plagiarism

Reusing substantial parts of an author's own previously disseminated work without transparent citation or disclosure, creating the misleading impression that the material is new.

Duplicate Publication

Publishing or submitting substantially the same research, data, results, or article to more than one journal without transparent disclosure and legitimate justification.

Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to all content submitted to or published by JATL, including:

  • titles, abstracts, keywords, and manuscript text;
  • research ideas, hypotheses, methods, and interpretations;
  • research data, calculations, and statistical results;
  • photographs, figures, maps, diagrams, and illustrations;
  • tables and supplementary materials;
  • previously published material written by the same authors; and
  • material produced or modified using artificial intelligence tools.

Similarity-Screening Procedure

Submitted manuscripts may be screened using available similarity-detection software. Screening may be conducted during the initial editorial assessment, after revision, before acceptance, or whenever a potential overlap is identified.

1
Software Screening
The manuscript is compared with published literature, internet sources, and other documents available in the screening database.
2
Editorial Examination
An editor examines the matching sources and determines whether the overlap represents legitimate similarity, incorrect attribution, inappropriate text reuse, or potential plagiarism.
3
Editorial Action
The editor determines the appropriate action based on the nature, location, extent, intent, and scholarly significance of the overlap.

Similarity-Screening Indicators

≤ 20%
Overall Similarity Indicator
≤ 3%
Similarity from a Single Source
These percentages are screening indicators, not automatic verdicts. A manuscript below these indicators may still contain serious plagiarism, while a manuscript above them may contain properly quoted material, standard terminology, a disclosed preprint, or other legitimate overlap. Every report remains subject to editorial review.

Contextual Assessment and Permissible Similarity

When technically and editorially appropriate, the following material may be excluded or assessed separately:

  • bibliographic references;
  • properly marked and cited direct quotations;
  • common scientific terminology and standard technical expressions;
  • names of institutions, instruments, locations, and established methods;
  • short incidental matches that do not represent intellectual appropriation;
  • material from a disclosed and properly cited preprint; and
  • descriptions of standard methods where completely different wording would reduce technical accuracy.

Even when an exclusion applies, authors should cite the original source whenever the wording, method, data, or intellectual contribution is attributable to another work. Reproduced copyrighted material may also require written permission from the copyright holder.

Author Responsibilities

  • Submit only original work that has not been published or simultaneously submitted elsewhere.
  • Cite all sources accurately and place copied wording within quotation marks when direct quotation is necessary.
  • Paraphrase genuinely rather than merely replacing a few words or rearranging the original sentence.
  • Cite relevant previous publications by the authors and explain any legitimate reuse of earlier material.
  • Obtain permission to reproduce copyrighted figures, tables, images, or other protected materials where required.
  • Disclose preprints, conference papers, theses, reports, or related manuscripts that may overlap with the submission.
  • Respond honestly and completely when the editor requests an explanation, correction, original data, or supporting evidence.

Action Before Publication

Acceptable Similarity
No action is required when the overlap is properly attributed, limited, and appropriate to the scholarly context.
Minor Problems
The manuscript may be returned for correction of quotation, citation, paraphrasing, or attribution before further processing.
Substantial Overlap
The manuscript may be suspended, returned for major revision, or rejected, depending on the extent and significance of the material involved.
Serious Plagiarism
The manuscript will be rejected. The journal may contact all authors, relevant institutions, funders, or affected publishers when further investigation is warranted.

Investigation Procedure

When plagiarism is suspected, JATL will seek to conduct a fair, confidential, and evidence-based assessment. The procedure may include:

  1. documenting the matched material and identifying its original source;
  2. evaluating the extent, location, attribution, and scholarly importance of the overlap;
  3. notifying the corresponding author in neutral terms and requesting an explanation;
  4. considering the response and supporting evidence from all relevant parties;
  5. consulting an additional editor, reviewer, or research-integrity specialist when necessary; and
  6. determining an editorial action appropriate to the evidence and seriousness of the case.

The journal will distinguish an honest citation or writing error from deliberate or substantial appropriation. However, lack of intention does not remove the authors' responsibility to correct unattributed or misleading reuse.

Plagiarism Identified After Publication

Concerns received after publication will be evaluated even when the article has already received a DOI or has been indexed. Depending on the evidence and effect on the integrity of the article, JATL may:

Publish a Correction

For limited unattributed material that can be corrected without invalidating the article's findings.

Issue an Expression of Concern

When credible concerns exist but an investigation remains incomplete or its outcome is uncertain.

Retract the Article

When plagiarism is extensive, affects the article's validity, or seriously compromises the scholarly record.

Notify Relevant Parties

Contact authors, institutions, funders, original rights holders, or other journals when appropriate.

A correction, expression of concern, or retraction notice will be clearly identified, publicly accessible, and linked to the original article. The bibliographic record will be maintained to preserve the transparency and integrity of the scholarly record.

Artificial Intelligence-Generated Material

Authors remain fully responsible for the originality, accuracy, attribution, and legality of all material produced or modified with artificial intelligence tools. AI-generated text, images, data, or references must not reproduce protected or previously published material without proper attribution and permission.

The use of an AI tool does not excuse plagiarism or inaccurate citation. Substantive use of such tools must be transparently disclosed in accordance with the journal's policy on artificial intelligence.

Clarification and Appeal

Authors may submit a written clarification or appeal when they believe a similarity finding or editorial action has been incorrectly interpreted. The request must identify the disputed passages and provide relevant sources, permissions, or other supporting evidence.

The matter will be reconsidered by an authorized editor and, where practicable, by a person who was not solely responsible for the initial decision. An appeal does not guarantee reversal of the decision.

Reporting a Plagiarism Concern

Concerns should identify the relevant JATL article or manuscript and provide the original source and supporting evidence whenever possible.

Email: jurnalagroteknologi@faperta.unmul.ac.id