The Research Journal of Maaref University of Applied Sciences (RJMU) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity and publication ethics. The journal does not accept plagiarism in any form and takes all suspected cases seriously.

1. Definition of plagiarism

RJMU defines plagiarism as the use of another person’s words, ideas, data, figures, tables, images, methods, or other intellectual content without proper acknowledgement and presentation as one’s own original work.

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

• direct copying of text without quotation marks, attribution, or permission where required;
• close paraphrasing of another work without appropriate citation;
• use of ideas, arguments, data, or findings without proper acknowledgement;
• unattributed reuse of figures, tables, images, or other copyrighted material;
• submission of work that has been wholly or partly copied from another source;
• self-plagiarism / text recycling, including substantial unattributed reuse of the author’s own previously published or submitted work where this is misleading or inappropriate.

2. Originality requirement

Authors submitting to RJMU must ensure that:

• the manuscript is original;
• it has not been plagiarized, wholly or in part;
• it has not been published previously, except where clearly disclosed and acceptable under the journal’s policies;
• all sources are properly cited and referenced;
• any reused material is clearly identified and used with appropriate permission where necessary.

All authors are responsible for the integrity of the manuscript submitted under their names.

3. Screening of submissions

RJMU reserves the right to screen submitted manuscripts for similarity and originality using TurnitIn and editorial assessment.

A similarity report is used only as a screening tool. Editorial decisions are not based on a fixed similarity percentage alone. The journal evaluates the nature, context, location, and extent of overlap, including whether the overlap involves methods text, properly cited quotations, references, boilerplate language, or potentially misleading copying. This approach is consistent with COPE guidance, which does not recommend a universal percentage threshold for judging plagiarism.

4. Minor overlap

Where overlap is judged to be minor, limited, or likely the result of poor citation practice rather than serious misconduct, the journal may:

• request revision and proper citation;
• ask the authors to rewrite overlapping sections;
• require clarification before peer review continues.

5. Major plagiarism or unacceptable overlap

If the editorial office determines that a submission contains substantial plagiarism, misleading text recycling, unattributed copying, or other serious originality concerns, the journal may take one or more of the following actions:

• reject the manuscript immediately;
• suspend editorial consideration until an explanation is received;
• request a formal response from the corresponding author;
• contact co-authors for clarification;
• refer the matter to the authors’ institution, employer, funder, or other appropriate body where necessary.

6. Plagiarism discovered after publication

If plagiarism or serious unattributed overlap is discovered after publication, RJMU may take corrective action in accordance with publication-ethics standards. Depending on the severity of the case, this may include:

• publication of a correction;
• publication of an editorial note or expression of concern;
• retraction of the article;
• notification to authors’ institutions or other relevant bodies.

RJMU will seek to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record in all such cases. DOAJ’s transparency principles state that journals should outline how they deal with misconduct and follow recognized guidance such as COPE when allegations arise.

7. Text recycling / self-plagiarism

RJMU recognizes that limited overlap may occur in certain contexts, especially in methods descriptions or where standard terminology is difficult to rephrase. However, substantial reuse of an author’s own previously published or submitted text, data, analysis, or interpretations without proper citation or disclosure is not acceptable.

Authors must cite and disclose any closely related manuscripts, prior publications, or overlapping submissions at the time of submission.

8. Fair process

RJMU is committed to handling plagiarism concerns fairly, confidentially, and consistently. Authors will normally be given an opportunity to respond to allegations before a final decision is made, except in cases of obvious or extensive copying where immediate editorial action is justified.

The journal may follow COPE guidance and flowcharts when handling suspected plagiarism in submitted or published manuscripts.

9. Author responsibility

By submitting a manuscript to RJMU, authors confirm that:

• the submission is their original work;
• all borrowed material has been properly cited;
• permission has been obtained for any third-party material where required;
• the manuscript does not violate the intellectual property rights of others.

10. Editorial right

The Editor-in-Chief and editorial team reserve the right to make the final determination in all matters relating to plagiarism, originality, and publication ethics.

11. Contact

Questions about this policy or concerns regarding suspected plagiarism in a submitted or published article may be directed to the journal through its official editorial contact channels.