Plagiarism represents a fundamental violation of academic integrity and is treated with utmost seriousness by IJMSTR. The Journal adopts a comprehensive approach to identifying and addressing plagiarism, recognising that it may manifest in various forms, including direct copying, paraphrasing without proper attribution, and self-plagiarism involving the reuse of one’s own previously published work without acknowledgement.
All submissions to the Journal are subject to plagiarism screening using established detection tools. However, the Journal does not rely solely on quantitative similarity indices. Instead, it adopts a qualitative approach that considers the context, extent, and nature of the similarity. This ensures that legitimate academic practices, such as the use of standard terminology or properly cited references, are not mischaracterised as misconduct.
Where a manuscript is found to contain unacceptable levels of similarity, the Journal may take appropriate action, including rejection or requesting revision. In cases where plagiarism is identified after publication, the Journal may issue corrections or proceed with retraction, depending on the severity of the issue. These measures are essential to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record and to uphold the trust placed in academic publications.
The Journal also emphasises the importance of proper citation practices as a means of acknowledging the contributions of other scholars. By fostering a culture of academic honesty and respect for intellectual property, IJMSTR seeks to contribute to a research environment that values originality and ethical conduct.