Plagiarism Screening

Plagiarism Screening

Plagiarism Screening Policy

Yaqeen Journal for Legal Studies is strictly committed to combating plagiarism in all its forms, and applies rigorous procedures to detect and prevent it, in order to preserve academic integrity and the quality of published content.

Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the use of others' ideas, words, or works without appropriate attribution, and includes:

  • Direct plagiarism: Copying text from other sources without quotation or reference
  • Indirect plagiarism: Paraphrasing others' ideas without attribution
  • Self-plagiarism: Reusing large portions of the author's previously published works without reference
  • Mosaic plagiarism: Combining phrases from multiple sources without attribution
  • Accidental plagiarism: Failure to properly attribute due to negligence

CrossRef Membership and Detection Services

Yaqeen Journal for Legal Studies is an official member of CrossRef and uses its advanced services:

CrossCheck (iThenticate)

  • The world-leading plagiarism detection service
  • Compares manuscripts against a large database containing millions of sources
  • Includes: scholarly articles, books, theses, and online content
  • Provides detailed reports with similarity ratios

Turnitin

  • An additional plagiarism detection system
  • Used as a complementary verification tool
  • Extensive database covering academic and online content

Screening Procedures

Stage 1: Initial Screening

  • All submitted manuscripts are screened immediately upon submission
  • iThenticate or Turnitin software is used
  • A comprehensive similarity report is generated
  • Duration: 2–3 business days

Stage 2: Report Analysis

  • The Managing Editor reviews the similarity report
  • Sources and types of similarity are analyzed
  • A distinction is made between acceptable and unacceptable similarity

Acceptance Criteria

Acceptable Similarity Ratios

  • Maximum overall similarity: 20%
  • Similarity from a single source: Not exceeding 3%
  • The following elements are excluded from the ratio calculation:

Accepted Exclusions

  • Reference list: Not counted in the similarity ratio
  • Legal texts: Quoted legal statutes and provisions
  • Properly cited quotations: Texts placed in quotation marks with source reference
  • Common legal terminology: Recognized definitions and terminology
  • Standard legal formulations: Standard legal phrases

Screening Decisions

Similarity ratio below 15%

  • The research is considered acceptable in terms of originality
  • Proceeds to the next stage (peer review)

Similarity ratio 15–20%

  • A detailed examination of similarity sources is conducted
  • The author may be asked for clarifications or revisions
  • Proper documentation is verified
  • Final decision depends on the type of similarity

Similarity ratio above 20%

  • The research is rejected directly
  • The author is notified of the reasons
  • The author is given an opportunity to revise and resubmit
  • A record of the case is kept

Self-Plagiarism

The journal treats self-plagiarism with the same seriousness as plagiarism from other sources:

  • Republishing the same research or large portions of it is not permitted
  • Any prior publication of parts of the research must be disclosed
  • Use of prior data with new analysis and source reference is permitted
  • The author's previous works must be cited when referenced

Procedures for Handling Plagiarism

Before Publication

  • Immediate rejection of the manuscript
  • Notification of the author with reasons and the similarity report
  • Recording the case in the journal database
  • The author may be banned from submitting for a specified period in cases of serious plagiarism

After Publication

If plagiarism is discovered in a published article:

  • An immediate investigation is opened
  • The author is contacted for clarifications
  • The author's institution is notified
  • The article is retracted if plagiarism is proven
  • A retraction notice with reasons is published
  • Databases and indexes are notified

Author Responsibilities

  • Ensure the originality of all parts of the research
  • Properly document all sources used
  • Use quotation marks for direct quotations
  • Paraphrase in their own style with source reference
  • Disclose any prior publication of parts of the research
  • Sign a declaration of research originality

Awareness and Training

The journal provides resources to help authors avoid plagiarism:

  • Detailed guidelines on proper documentation
  • Examples of correct citation and paraphrasing
  • Tips for avoiding unintentional plagiarism
  • Links to educational resources on academic integrity

Transparency

  • All manuscripts are subject to the same screening standards
  • Results are documented and recorded
  • Decisions are subject to review and appeal
  • Annual statistics on rejection rates due to plagiarism are published

Important Note: Adherence to originality standards is not only a publication requirement, but an ethical responsibility for every researcher. The journal is committed to supporting researchers in maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity.