Plagiarism Policy

BANUA: Jurnal Kesehatan Lingkungan

BANUA: Jurnal Kesehatan Lingkungan is committed to promoting academic integrity, research originality, transparency, and ethical scholarly publishing. The journal maintains strict standards against plagiarism, inappropriate text reuse, duplicate publication, and other forms of publication misconduct.

All manuscripts submitted to BANUA must present original scholarly contributions, acknowledge relevant sources, and comply with established principles of research and publication ethics. This policy applies to research articles, review articles, and other scholarly contributions considered for publication in the journal.

1. Similarity Index Requirement

BANUA requires all submitted manuscripts to undergo plagiarism screening using Turnitin or other reliable similarity detection software.

The journal establishes a maximum similarity index of 20% as the general threshold for initial editorial screening.

Manuscripts exceeding this threshold may be returned to the authors for revision or rejected, depending on the nature, extent, and significance of the similarities identified.

A similarity index of 20% or below does not automatically indicate that a manuscript is free from plagiarism or eligible for publication. The editorial team will carefully examine the similarity report to identify potentially inappropriate text reuse, insufficient attribution, and substantial overlap with previously published materials.

References, properly acknowledged quotations, standard methodological terminology, and commonly used scientific expressions may contribute to the similarity index. The editorial team will assess these matches in context.

The journal does not consider the similarity percentage alone sufficient evidence of plagiarism. Editorial decisions will also consider the originality of the manuscript, the adequacy of citations, and the significance of the identified similarities.

2. Forms of Plagiarism

BANUA recognizes several forms of plagiarism and inappropriate publication practices, including:

  1. Direct Plagiarism: Reproducing sentences, paragraphs, research findings, or other materials from existing publications without appropriate citation or acknowledgment.

  2. Mosaic Plagiarism: Combining phrases, sentences, or ideas from multiple sources while making only minor wording changes and failing to acknowledge the original authors.

  3. Paraphrasing Plagiarism: Presenting another author's ideas, interpretations, research findings, or arguments in different words without providing appropriate references.

  4. Self-Plagiarism and Text Recycling: Reusing substantial portions of an author's previously published manuscripts, including introductions, discussions, or other materials, without appropriate disclosure, citation, or scholarly justification.

  5. Data, Tables, Figures, and Image Plagiarism: Reproducing or presenting another researcher's data, laboratory results, environmental monitoring records, tables, photographs, maps, graphs, or illustrations without proper acknowledgment or permission when required.

  6. Unattributed Translation: Translating previously published scholarly materials from another language and presenting them as original work without proper citation and any required permission.

  7. Duplicate or Redundant Publication: Submitting or publishing research findings that substantially overlap with previously published or concurrently submitted work without adequate disclosure or legitimate academic justification.

  8. AI-Assisted Concealment of Plagiarism: Using artificial intelligence or automated paraphrasing tools to disguise copied content, obscure original sources, or present previously published material as original research.

The journal evaluates suspected misconduct based on the available evidence, regardless of whether the similarities were introduced intentionally or unintentionally.

3. Responsibilities of Authors

All authors submitting manuscripts to BANUA are responsible for maintaining the originality, accuracy, and integrity of their scholarly work.

Authors must:

  1. Submit original manuscripts that have not been published previously or submitted simultaneously to another journal, except where permitted prior dissemination has been properly disclosed.

  2. Appropriately cite all scientific ideas, theories, methods, research findings, and information obtained from other sources.

  3. Use quotation marks and proper citations when reproducing exact wording from previously published materials.

  4. Obtain necessary permission when reproducing copyrighted tables, figures, photographs, illustrations, or other research materials.

  5. Disclose substantial similarities between the submitted manuscript and the authors' previous publications, including manuscripts derived from the same research project or dataset.

  6. Ensure that environmental monitoring data, laboratory findings, field observations, and research documentation are presented accurately and are not improperly copied or attributed.

  7. Review similarity reports and revise inappropriate textual overlap before submission or when requested by the editorial team.

  8. Transparently disclose the use of generative artificial intelligence or AI-assisted technologies in manuscript preparation, in accordance with the journal's applicable AI disclosure policy.

  9. Confirm that all listed authors have reviewed and approved the manuscript and accept responsibility for its scholarly integrity.

Authors remain fully responsible for the originality and accuracy of submitted manuscripts, including content prepared with the assistance of digital tools or artificial intelligence.

4. Editorial Screening and Assessment

Every manuscript submitted to BANUA may undergo an initial plagiarism screening before entering the peer-review process.

The editorial team will assess the similarity report by considering:

  1. The overall similarity index and the distribution of matching text throughout the manuscript.

  2. The number and nature of the sources contributing to the similarity score.

  3. The adequacy and accuracy of citations and acknowledgments.

  4. The originality of the research objectives, methodology, results, and scientific contribution.

  5. The extent of overlap with previously published articles, theses, dissertations, conference proceedings, or other scholarly publications.

  6. The possibility of duplicated data, figures, or findings without appropriate disclosure.

  7. The presence of inappropriate text recycling or plagiarism that may not be fully reflected in the similarity percentage.

Manuscripts with a similarity index above 20% will be subject to additional editorial evaluation and may require revision before further consideration.

The editorial team may also investigate manuscripts with a similarity score of 20% or below when substantial unattributed copying or other ethical concerns are identified.

When necessary, the editor may request explanations, supporting documents, revised manuscript sections, or additional references.

5. Editorial Actions in Cases of Plagiarism

BANUA applies editorial actions according to the nature, extent, and severity of the identified ethical concerns.

The journal may take one or more of the following measures:

  1. Manuscript Revision: Return the manuscript to the authors and request corrections, appropriate citations, or substantial rewriting when the identified problems can be adequately addressed.

  2. Author Clarification: Request a written explanation and supporting evidence concerning similarities, overlapping publications, or suspected inappropriate use of research materials.

  3. Manuscript Rejection: Reject a manuscript when significant plagiarism, unauthorized duplication, or serious publication misconduct has been established.

  4. Temporary Suspension: Suspend the review or publication process while the editorial team investigates suspected ethical violations.

  5. Post-Publication Correction: Issue a formal correction when an identified problem can be resolved without compromising the reliability or originality of the published research.

  6. Article Retraction: Retract a published article when substantial plagiarism, redundant publication, or serious misconduct compromises the integrity of the scholarly record.

  7. Institutional Notification: Contact the relevant author's institution or research authority when serious misconduct warrants further investigation.

All editorial decisions will follow fair and transparent procedures. Authors will ordinarily be given an opportunity to respond to allegations before a final decision is reached.

6. Plagiarism in Published Articles

BANUA maintains responsibility for the integrity of its published scientific record.

When suspected plagiarism is identified or reported after an article has been published, the editorial team will examine the evidence and initiate an appropriate investigation.

The investigation may include reviewing the original and allegedly duplicated publications, comparing the relevant research materials, requesting clarification from the authors, and consulting relevant institutions when necessary.

If plagiarism or other publication misconduct is confirmed, the journal may publish a correction, an expression of concern, or a retraction, depending on the seriousness of the case.

Editorial actions concerning published articles will follow recognized publication ethics principles, including relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

The journal will ensure that any necessary post-publication notice clearly explains the editorial action and maintains transparency in the scientific record.

7. Confidentiality and Use of Similarity Reports

Similarity reports generated during manuscript screening are considered confidential editorial documents.

Access to these reports is restricted to authorized editors and other individuals directly involved in manuscript evaluation when necessary.

The editorial team may share relevant findings with authors to support revisions, clarification, or ethical investigations.

Similarity reports will be used as supporting evidence rather than the sole basis for determining plagiarism or deciding manuscript acceptance.

The journal will handle manuscript materials, similarity findings, and related correspondence responsibly and in accordance with its editorial confidentiality procedures.

8. Commitment to Publication Ethics

BANUA: Jurnal Kesehatan Lingkungan is committed to maintaining ethical standards in the publication of research concerning environmental health, environmental epidemiology, sanitation, environmental risk assessment, waste management, environmental toxicology, food safety, and related scientific disciplines.

Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to uphold the principles of honesty, originality, transparency, fairness, and accountability throughout the publication process.

The journal supports responsible scholarly communication and evaluates concerns about plagiarism and publication misconduct through procedures consistent with recognized international publication ethics guidance.

By submitting a manuscript to BANUA, authors acknowledge and agree to comply with this Plagiarism Policy and accept that their manuscript may undergo originality screening at any stage of editorial evaluation or publication.

Similarity Threshold: Maximum 20%.

All submitted manuscripts are subject to editorial assessment. A similarity index of 20% or below does not guarantee acceptance, and manuscripts exceeding this threshold may require revision or be rejected following editorial evaluation.