Plagiarism Policy

Madago Nursing Journal (MNJ) is committed to maintaining academic integrity, originality, and ethical standards in scholarly publishing. Plagiarism and other forms of publication misconduct are unacceptable. All submitted manuscripts must appropriately acknowledge the ideas, findings, and contributions of others.

1. Similarity Index Requirement

All manuscripts submitted to MNJ are subject to similarity screening using Turnitin or another appropriate similarity-checking tool.

The journal requires an overall similarity index of less than 25% as a general screening threshold. Manuscripts with a similarity index of 25% or higher may be returned for revision or rejected, depending on the nature, extent, and distribution of the identified similarities.

A similarity index below 25% does not automatically establish originality or guarantee acceptance. Editors assess the matched passages and sources to determine whether plagiarism, inappropriate text recycling, or substantial duplication is present.

References, properly attributed quotations, standard methodological descriptions, and common technical expressions may contribute to similarity scores. These matches are assessed in context. Any exclusions applied during screening should be used consistently and must not conceal substantive overlap.

2. Forms of Plagiarism and Related Misconduct

MNJ considers the following practices to constitute plagiarism or related publication misconduct:

  1. Direct Plagiarism: Reproducing another person’s text, ideas, data, or other materials without appropriate attribution and, for verbatim text, quotation or equivalent identification.

  2. Mosaic Plagiarism: Combining copied phrases or passages, including those with minor wording changes, without adequate acknowledgment.

  3. Unattributed Paraphrasing: Restating another person’s ideas, interpretations, or findings without citing the source.

  4. Inappropriate Text Recycling: Reusing substantial portions of previously published work without adequate disclosure, citation, or justification.

  5. Data, Figure, and Image Plagiarism: Presenting another person’s data, tables, figures, images, or other research materials without appropriate attribution or permission where required.

  6. Unattributed Translation: Translating another person’s work and presenting it as original without proper acknowledgment or permission where required.

  7. Duplicate or Redundant Publication: Submitting or publishing substantially overlapping work without transparent disclosure and an acceptable justification.

3. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are responsible for the originality and integrity of their submissions. They must:

  • Submit original work and disclose any previous dissemination relevant to its assessment.

  • Appropriately cite sources of ideas, arguments, findings, data, and other materials.

  • Clearly identify verbatim quotations and provide accurate citations.

  • Obtain permission to reproduce copyrighted materials where required.

  • Disclose related publications and manuscripts under consideration elsewhere that substantially overlap with the submission.

  • Address inappropriate similarities through accurate attribution and substantive revision.

  • Ensure that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the manuscript and accept responsibility for its integrity.

Superficial word substitution or manipulation intended to evade similarity detection is unacceptable.

4. Editorial Screening and Assessment

Similarity screening may be conducted at initial submission, during revision, or before publication. Editors consider both the overall score and the specific passages and sources identified.

The similarity score supports editorial judgment; it is not, by itself, proof of plagiarism. Assessment considers the amount and significance of overlapping material, the adequacy of attribution, previous disclosures, and the originality of the contribution.

Editors may request an explanation, revised text, additional citations, related publications, or supporting documentation. Serious concerns may lead to suspension of manuscript processing pending further assessment.

5. Actions in Cases of Suspected or Established Misconduct

Editorial responses will be proportionate to the evidence, nature, and severity of the concern. MNJ may:

  1. Request clarification or a written explanation from the authors.

  2. Return the manuscript for correction and reassessment.

  3. Suspend the editorial process while concerns are investigated.

  4. Reject a manuscript when plagiarism or other serious misconduct is established.

  5. Correct or retract a published article when warranted.

  6. Contact the relevant institution, publisher, or other responsible body when further investigation is necessary.

Authors will normally be given an opportunity to respond to substantive concerns. Editorial action will follow the journal’s publication ethics procedures and relevant Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidance.

6. Concerns Raised After Publication

Reports of suspected plagiarism in published articles should be submitted to the editorial office with supporting evidence, including the relevant passages and original sources where possible.

MNJ will assess the evidence, seek explanations from the authors, and consult relevant institutions or other parties when necessary.

Depending on the findings, the journal may issue a correction, an expression of concern while an investigation remains unresolved, or a retraction. Notices will explain the reasons for the action and be linked to the affected article.

7. Confidentiality of Similarity Reports

Similarity reports are confidential editorial records. Access is limited to authorized personnel and others whose involvement is necessary for assessment or investigation.

Relevant findings may be shared with authors so that they can respond to concerns. Reports will not be publicly disclosed without an appropriate basis.

8. Commitment to Publication Ethics

Madago Nursing Journal promotes fairness, transparency, accountability, and responsible scholarship. Authors, editors, and reviewers are expected to help prevent and address plagiarism and other forms of publication misconduct.

By submitting a manuscript, authors acknowledge their responsibility to comply with this policy and understand that originality may be assessed at any stage of evaluation or after publication.

Similarity threshold: Less than 25%. Meeting this threshold does not establish the absence of plagiarism or guarantee acceptance.