Plagiarism Policy

Purpose and scope

This policy applies to all content submitted to CJNCP, including research articles, reviews, case reports, protocols, brief communications, editorials, letters, visual/graphic materials, and supplementary files. It covers both initial submissions and revised versions, as well as post-publication updates. The policy aligns with widely recognized scholarly standards and complements our Peer Review Policy, Ethics and Malpractice Statement, and Withdrawal Policy.

Definitions

Plagiarism is presenting another person’s ideas, processes, results, words, or creative expressions as one’s own without appropriate credit, permission, or quotation. Plagiarism can be intentional or unintentional; both are unacceptable. Related practices include:

Direct copying: Reproducing text, figures, tables, or code verbatim without quotation and citation.
Close paraphrasing: Rewriting with minor changes while keeping the structure, argument, or distinctive phrasing of the source without proper citation.
Mosaic (patchwork) text: Interweaving copied phrases from multiple sources without clear attribution.
Self-plagiarism (text recycling): Reusing substantial portions of one’s previously published text or figures without citation and clear labeling.
Redundant/duplicate publication: Publishing substantially similar content across multiple journals.
Image/data manipulation: Reusing images or datasets as if new; altering images to mislead; duplicating lanes/panels without disclosure.
Translation plagiarism: Translating content from another language and presenting it as original without attribution.

Acceptable reuse and attribution

Scholarly writing necessarily builds on prior work. Reuse is acceptable when it is properly cited, quoted or paraphrased in good faith, and does not mislead the reader about novelty. Examples:

Short, correctly quoted passages from guidelines or prior studies with a citation and quotation marks/offset formatting.
Paraphrased background that synthesizes multiple sources, with citations to key references.
Reuse of methods text for standard procedures, with citation to the original description, and, where feasible, fresh wording.
Reuse of one’s own figures/tables with a credit line (“Reused from … under [license]”) and a link to the version of record.

Where an article license permits reuse (e.g., certain Creative Commons licenses), attribution is still required, and any restrictions noted in figure/table credit lines must be honored.

Similarity screening and editorial review

All submissions are screened using similarity-checking tools. Reports are interpreted by editors—we do not rely on numbers alone. We exclude reference lists, boilerplate declarations (ethics, funding), and methods for highly standardized procedures where appropriate, and then evaluate overlap in context.

Typical finding	Editorial view	Possible action
Low dispersed overlap across many sources after exclusions	Likely acceptable background phrasing	Proceed; request minor edits if phrasing is too close
One or two sources with concentrated overlap in Introduction/Discussion	Close paraphrasing suspected	Request rewording and improved citations; rescreen
Substantial overlap in Methods for standard techniques	Text recycling may be acceptable if cited	Require citation to original protocol and fresh wording where feasible
Significant single-source overlap or replicated Results	Potential plagiarism or duplicate publication	Investigate; may reject or retract; contact institutions if warranted
Figure/panel duplication or manipulated images	Integrity risk	Request originals; if unresolved, reject/retract and notify stakeholders

Similarity percentages can be misleading. We assess where overlap occurs and how text or visuals were used, not just how much.

Text recycling (self-plagiarism)

Reusing one’s own words without citation can mislead readers about novelty. Reasonable reuse may be acceptable with citation and, where possible, fresh phrasing. Our expectations:

Abstract & Conclusions: Should be original to the submitted work; avoid carry-over text.
Introduction/Background: Paraphrase prior explanations and synthesize multiple sources; cite your earlier work if closely followed.
Methods: Standard methods may retain specialized terms; cite the original description and rephrase narrative text.
Results: Do not reuse prior results text or visuals to represent new findings.
Tables/Figures: Reuse only with proper credit lines and license compatibility.

Figures, tables, and image integrity

Figures and tables must represent data faithfully. The following are unacceptable without disclosure and permission:

Reusing an image/panel from previous work as if new.
Splicing lanes/panels or duplicating features to enhance results.
Selective enhancement, removal, or obscuring of features.

Acceptable adjustments include uniform changes to brightness/contrast, cropping for clarity, or color-blind–safe palettes—if they do not mislead and are described in the legend or methods. Keep original, unedited files; editors may request them during review.

Preprints, theses, and conference materials

CJNCP accepts submissions previously disseminated as preprints, theses, or posters/abstracts, provided this is disclosed in the cover letter and manuscript. Authors should update preprints upon acceptance/publication with a link to the version of record. If conference proceedings include full papers, clarify overlap and obtain permission where necessary to avoid duplicate publication.

Translations and secondary publication

Translating previously published content without attribution is plagiarism. Legitimate secondary publication (e.g., a translated version) may be considered if:

The primary publication is cited on the first page of the secondary article.
Permissions and licenses allow reuse in the target language.
The translation is accurate and not misleading about priority.
Editors of both journals agree to the arrangement and clearly label the work as a translation/secondary publication.

AI-assisted writing and paraphrasing tools

Undisclosed use of AI tools to paraphrase source material may constitute plagiarism if it masks dependence on a source. Authors must disclose any AI assistance and remain fully responsible for originality and citation accuracy. AI tools cannot be listed as authors. Do not upload identifiable or sensitive data to third-party tools without appropriate approvals.

Check AI-produced text for inadvertent copying and ensure proper citations.
Remove fabricated references and verify all quotations.
Disclose tool names/versions in the manuscript’s acknowledgments or methods, as applicable.

Third-party materials and permissions

If you include questionnaires, images, or other third-party content, obtain permission when reuse exceeds license terms or fair use/dealing. Provide a credit line that describes restrictions. Items with stricter terms should be labeled to override the general article license.

How CJNCP handles suspected plagiarism

We aim for a fair, transparent process that protects the scholarly record and respects due process. Typical steps:

Investigation workflow

Screening: Similarity report and editorial review identify concerning overlap or image issues.
Initial contact: Corresponding author receives a summary of concerns and is asked to respond with explanations, citations, and originals (e.g., data, images).
Assessment: Editors evaluate responses; where needed, we consult independent experts or request revised files.
Outcome: Depending on severity and intent, we may request corrections and resubmission, reject the manuscript, or proceed to stronger actions (e.g., retraction for published work).
Recordkeeping: We document decisions and retain correspondence to support accountability and potential institutional inquiries.

Issue type	Illustrative example	Typical outcome
Minor unattributed phrases	Short background sentences too close to a source	Revise text; add citations; editorial check before further review
Moderate close paraphrasing	Multiple sentences/paragraphs with similar structure to one source	Major revision with rephrasing and citation; re-screen; possible rejection if not resolved
Substantial overlap / duplicate publication	Large blocks of text or results duplicated from a prior article	Reject (pre-publication) or retract (post-publication); notify institutions/funders as appropriate
Image duplication/manipulation	Reused panels presented as new; undisclosed splicing	Reject or retract; publish notice; inform stakeholders

We may issue an Expression of Concern for published content while investigations proceed when readers could be misled.

Sanctions and repeated breaches

Sanctions are proportionate to severity and intent and may include: refusal to consider the manuscript; ban on new submissions for a period; removal from reviewer/editor roles; notifications to institutions and funders; and, for published items, corrections, retractions, or removal of images with explicative notices.

Appeals and corrections

Authors may appeal decisions by responding point-by-point to editors’ concerns and providing evidence (e.g., permissions, data, image originals). Appeals are reviewed by an editor not involved in the original decision and may involve additional external advice. If a published article requires changes, we will correct the record with transparent notices linked to the version of record.

Preventing plagiarism: guidance for authors

Practical tips

Draft in your own words, synthesizing across multiple sources rather than leaning on a single source.
Track citations while you write; use reference managers to avoid accidental omissions.
Quote sparingly, and use quotation marks or block formatting when copying exact phrases.
For methods, cite the original protocol and explain how your implementation differs.
Prepare figure credit lines at the same time you finalize images; keep original, unedited files organized.
Run a self-check for similarity before submission to catch close phrasing or missing citations.
Disclose any AI assistance; verify the originality and accuracy of the final text.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have a strict similarity percentage threshold?

No. Percentages are interpretive aids, not pass/fail rules. Editors consider where overlap occurs (e.g., methods vs. results), whether it is properly cited, and whether readers could be misled.

Can I reuse paragraphs from my thesis?

Yes, with citation to the thesis and fresh wording where feasible. If the thesis is publicly available, include its persistent link. Avoid copying results verbatim if they were previously published in journal form.

May I recycle methods text from my prior paper?

Limited reuse is acceptable for standardized methods if you cite the original description and avoid extensive verbatim copying. Highlight any deviations from the prior protocol.

What about standard definitions (e.g., diagnostic criteria)?

Use the official wording with quotation and citation when needed, or paraphrase carefully with a citation to the authoritative source.

How are image issues detected?

Editors and reviewers may identify concerns during review; we may also use screening tools. Authors should keep original images and supply them on request.

Is translation plagiarism treated the same as English-language plagiarism?

Yes. Translating text without attribution is plagiarism. Cite the original and obtain permissions as needed for substantial reuse.

Can I submit a paper based on a preprint?

Yes. Disclose the preprint server/identifier during submission and link to the version of record after publication.

What should I do if I realize after submission that I forgot a citation?

Contact the editor immediately with the missing citation(s). Prompt, transparent corrections help prevent escalation.

Ethics and Malpractice Statement • Peer Review Policy • Open Access Policy • Copyright and Licensing • Withdrawal Policy • Repository Policy • Privacy Statement

Tags: Plagiarism Text Recycling Image Integrity AI Disclosure Research Ethics