Plagiarism Policy

The Journal of Applied Economics & Business (JAEB) is committed to maintaining the originality, integrity, transparency, and credibility of every manuscript submitted to and published by the journal. Plagiarism, duplicate publication, inappropriate text recycling, data fabrication, data falsification, citation manipulation, and other forms of research or publication misconduct are not acceptable.

This policy applies to all manuscripts submitted to JAEB, including original research articles, case studies, policy studies, review articles, conceptual articles, editorials, and other scholarly content considered for publication.

The policy applies to authors, editors, editorial board members, peer reviewers, guest editors, and all parties involved in the editorial and publication process.

JAEB handles suspected plagiarism and related publication misconduct in accordance with the guidance and flowcharts of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Purpose of the Policy

This policy aims to:

Protect the originality and credibility of published scholarly work;
Prevent plagiarism and inappropriate reuse of previously published material;
Establish a transparent similarity-screening procedure;
Explain the responsibilities of authors, editors, and reviewers;
Provide consistent procedures for handling suspected misconduct;
Protect the rights of original authors and copyright holders;
Maintain public trust in the editorial and publication process;
Ensure that editorial decisions are based on evidence and publication-ethics principles.

Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism occurs when an individual presents another person's words, ideas, arguments, data, methods, results, images, tables, figures, models, computer code, or other intellectual contributions as their own without appropriate acknowledgment, citation, quotation, or permission.

Plagiarism may involve published or unpublished material. It may occur in printed publications, electronic publications, conference papers, theses, dissertations, reports, websites, repositories, datasets, presentations, correspondence, peer-review reports, or other sources.

Plagiarism remains a violation even when:

The original source is written in another language;
The copied material has been translated;
Some words have been replaced with synonyms;
The sentence structure has been slightly changed;
The copied material comes from an unpublished source;
The original author has not filed a complaint;
The copied portion represents only a small part of the manuscript but contains a central idea, finding, model, or conclusion.

Forms of Plagiarism

Direct Plagiarism

Direct plagiarism occurs when an author copies words, sentences, paragraphs, tables, figures, or other material from another source without quotation marks, proper citation, attribution, or permission.

Mosaic Plagiarism

Mosaic plagiarism occurs when an author combines copied phrases, sentence structures, arguments, or ideas from one or more sources with minor modifications while failing to acknowledge the original sources adequately.

Paraphrasing Plagiarism

Paraphrasing plagiarism occurs when an author changes a limited number of words or rearranges the structure of existing material without producing an original explanation and without citing the source properly.

Plagiarism of Ideas

Plagiarism of ideas occurs when an author uses an original concept, hypothesis, theoretical argument, research model, analytical framework, interpretation, or unpublished proposal developed by another person without proper acknowledgment.

Data Plagiarism

Data plagiarism occurs when an author uses, reproduces, modifies, or presents data collected or created by another party without proper attribution, authorization, or disclosure.

Data obtained from public databases must be cited accurately. The database owner, dataset name, period of access, version, persistent identifier, or relevant URL should be provided when applicable.

Figure and Image Plagiarism

Figure and image plagiarism includes reproducing or adapting photographs, diagrams, charts, maps, illustrations, graphical models, visual abstracts, or other visual materials without appropriate attribution and permission when permission is required.

Code and Software Plagiarism

Code and software plagiarism occurs when authors reproduce programming code, algorithms, scripts, software components, analytical syntax, or computational procedures developed by another party without proper acknowledgment or compliance with the applicable license.

Translation Plagiarism

Translation plagiarism occurs when material from a source in another language is translated and presented as original writing without citation or acknowledgment.

Contract Cheating and Purchased Manuscripts

Submitting a manuscript written, purchased, commissioned, or substantially prepared by an undisclosed third party constitutes serious misconduct.

All individuals who meet the journal's authorship criteria must be listed as authors. Individuals who provide only technical, editorial, or language assistance should be acknowledged when appropriate.

Text Recycling and Self-Plagiarism

Text recycling refers to the reuse of an author's previously published words, sentences, paragraphs, data, tables, figures, or other material without sufficient transparency, citation, or acknowledgment.

JAEB evaluates text recycling according to the amount, location, purpose, originality, copyright status, and scholarly significance of the reused material. The journal follows the COPE position on handling text recycling.

Limited reuse of standard methodological descriptions may be acceptable when:

The same method was genuinely used;
The reused wording is necessary for technical accuracy;
The original publication is cited;
The reuse does not conceal duplicate publication;
The reuse does not violate copyright;
The author informs the editor when substantial overlap is unavoidable.

Text recycling is normally unacceptable when it involves:

A substantial part of the introduction or literature review;
Previously published research findings;
Previously published tables or figures without citation and permission;
Previously published discussion or conclusion sections;
The reuse of the same dataset and findings without disclosure;
The presentation of previously published work as a new contribution;
Substantial repetition that misleads readers regarding the originality of the manuscript.

Duplicate and Redundant Publication

Authors must not submit or publish the same or substantially similar manuscript in more than one journal, book, conference proceeding, repository intended as a final publication, or other primary publication outlet.

Duplicate or redundant publication may involve:

The same research question, data, analysis, and conclusions;
Minor changes to the manuscript title or author order;
Translation of a previously published article without disclosure;
Republication of substantially similar tables, figures, or results;
Submission of the same manuscript to multiple journals at the same time;
Publication of substantially overlapping articles without cross-referencing;
Fragmentation of one study into several minimally different articles.

When a manuscript uses the same dataset as a previous publication, authors must:

Disclose the previous publication to the editor;
Cite the related publication;
Explain the new research question, method, analysis, or contribution;
Provide copies of related manuscripts when requested;
Demonstrate that the new submission offers a substantial and independent contribution.

Manuscripts Derived from Theses and Dissertations

A manuscript developed from a thesis or dissertation may be considered when it has been substantially adapted into a journal article.

Authors must:

Disclose that the manuscript is derived from a thesis or dissertation;
Identify the relevant thesis or dissertation in the comments to the editor;
Cite or link to the repository version when appropriate;
Revise the structure and presentation to meet the JAEB article format;
Avoid copying extensive sections without appropriate acknowledgment;
Ensure that the manuscript presents a clear and original journal-level contribution.

The existence of a thesis or dissertation in an institutional repository does not automatically constitute prior journal publication. However, authors must maintain transparency regarding the origin of the manuscript.

Conference Papers and Proceedings

A manuscript based on a conference presentation or proceeding may be considered when it has been developed substantially beyond the previous version.

Authors must:

Disclose the conference version during submission;
Cite the previous version when it is publicly available;
Explain the substantive differences between the versions;
Add meaningful theoretical, methodological, empirical, or analytical development;
Obtain permission from the previous publisher when required.

Changing only the title, abstract, wording, or manuscript length does not constitute sufficient development.

Preprints

Authors must disclose whether a submitted manuscript has been deposited on a recognized preprint server.

A disclosed preprint does not automatically constitute plagiarism or duplicate publication. Authors must provide the preprint title, platform, identifier, and link during submission.

After publication, authors should update the preprint record with the citation and DOI of the final published article when permitted by the platform.

Citation and Attribution Requirements

Authors must acknowledge every source that has materially influenced the manuscript.

Proper attribution requires:

An accurate in-text citation;
A complete entry in the reference list;
Quotation marks and page numbers for direct quotations;
Permission for copyrighted material when legally required;
Clear identification of adapted tables, figures, or instruments;
Accurate acknowledgment of datasets, software, and analytical tools;
Disclosure of previously published related work by the authors.

Adding a citation does not automatically make extensive verbatim copying acceptable. Authors must use quotation marks for copied wording and should paraphrase sources accurately using their own scholarly expression.

Authors must not cite sources they have not read or verified. References must not be fabricated, altered, or used to support claims that they do not contain.

Similarity Screening

Every manuscript submitted to JAEB is subject to similarity screening using Turnitin, iThenticate, or another recognized similarity-detection system.

Similarity screening may be conducted:

During the initial editorial screening;
Before assignment to peer reviewers;
After manuscript revision;
Before final acceptance;
After publication when a concern is reported.

The editorial office may repeat the screening when substantial revisions have been made or when the revised manuscript introduces new content.

Similarity Indicator

As an internal administrative indicator, submitted manuscripts are generally expected to have an overall similarity score below 20% after bibliographic references, properly formatted quotations, and insignificant short matches are excluded when supported by the screening system.

The similarity percentage is not an automatic acceptance or rejection criterion. A manuscript with a score below 20% may still contain plagiarism, while a manuscript with a score above 20% may contain legitimate technical terminology, properly cited methodology, institutional names, legal provisions, or other acceptable similarities.

JAEB does not use a universal numerical percentage as the sole basis for determining plagiarism. This approach is consistent with the COPE position on determining acceptable levels of plagiarism or duplication.

Editors assess:

The source of each similarity;
The location of the matching material;
The amount of text taken from a single source;
Whether the material is quoted and cited correctly;
Whether the similarity involves words, ideas, data, findings, or conclusions;
Whether the overlap affects the originality of the manuscript;
Whether the overlap involves the author's previous publications;
Whether copyright or licensing conditions have been followed;
Whether the author has attempted to conceal the overlap.

Material Commonly Excluded from Administrative Similarity Calculation

When supported by the screening software and editorial judgment, the following material may be excluded from the administrative calculation:

The reference list;
Properly formatted direct quotations;
Commonly used technical terminology;
Standard institutional names;
Standard titles of laws, regulations, policies, and official documents;
Short matching phrases with no substantive intellectual significance;
Standard statistical terminology;
Standard methodological descriptions when reuse is transparent and justified.

Exclusion from the numerical calculation does not remove the author's obligation to provide proper citation, quotation, attribution, and permission.

Qualitative Assessment of Similarity

JAEB evaluates similarity reports qualitatively rather than relying only on the overall score.

A low overall similarity score may still lead to investigation when the matched material includes:

A central research idea;
An original theoretical model;
A hypothesis or proposition;
A substantial research finding;
A dataset;
A table or figure;
A distinctive interpretation;
A conclusion;
Confidential or unpublished material.

A higher similarity score may not indicate misconduct when the overlap consists mainly of properly cited material, standard methodological wording, public legal text, or other legitimate content.

Editorial Action before Peer Review

When similarity is identified before peer review, the editor may take one of the following actions:

Proceed to Editorial Assessment

The manuscript may proceed when the similarity is minor, properly attributed, and does not affect the originality or integrity of the work.

Return for Technical Correction

The manuscript may be returned when citation, quotation, paraphrasing, or reference formatting requires correction but there is no clear evidence of deliberate misconduct.

Request Author Clarification

The editor may ask the corresponding author to explain substantial similarity, related publications, reused datasets, conference versions, preprints, theses, or other overlapping materials.

Reject the Manuscript

The manuscript may be rejected when the editor identifies plagiarism, concealed duplicate publication, substantial unattributed copying, inappropriate text recycling, or another serious integrity violation.

Refer the Case for Further Investigation

The editor may refer the case to the editor-in-chief, publisher, editorial ethics committee, author's institution, funding organization, or another relevant authority when the concern is serious or requires institutional investigation.

Suspected Plagiarism during Peer Review

Reviewers who identify suspected plagiarism must report the concern confidentially to the editor.

Reviewers should:

Identify the suspected source;
Explain the nature of the overlap;
Provide supporting evidence when available;
Avoid contacting the authors directly;
Avoid conducting an unauthorized investigation;
Maintain the confidentiality of the manuscript.

The editor will evaluate the allegation in accordance with the COPE flowchart for plagiarism in a submitted manuscript.

The peer-review process may be suspended while the allegation is investigated.

Author Response to a Similarity Concern

When clarification is requested, the corresponding author must respond within the period specified by the editor.

The response should:

Address every identified source of concern;
Explain the origin of the overlapping material;
Provide related manuscripts or publications when requested;
Provide evidence of permission when copyrighted material is involved;
Correct citations, quotations, and references;
Explain the originality and independent contribution of the manuscript;
Confirm that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the response.

Failure to provide a satisfactory response may result in rejection, withdrawal of acceptance, notification of the authors' institution, or another appropriate action.

Minor and Major Similarity Concerns

Minor Concern

A minor concern may involve limited improper paraphrasing, incomplete citation, missing quotation marks, or technical attribution errors that can be corrected without changing the manuscript's original contribution.

The editor may request revision, citation correction, rewriting, or additional disclosure.

Major Concern

A major concern may involve:

Substantial unattributed copying;
Plagiarism of ideas, findings, data, tables, or figures;
Concealed duplicate publication;
Translation plagiarism;
Repeated plagiarism from multiple sources;
Deliberate attempts to disguise copied material;
Fabricated or manipulated references;
Reuse that misrepresents previously published findings as new.

A manuscript involving a major concern will normally be rejected and may be subject to further investigation.

Consequences of Confirmed Plagiarism before Publication

Depending on the seriousness and evidence, JAEB may:

Return the manuscript for correction;
Reject the manuscript;
Cancel the peer-review process;
Withdraw a previous acceptance decision;
Notify all authors of the decision;
Request an explanation from all authors;
Notify the authors' institution or research-integrity office;
Notify a funding body or relevant authority;
Notify another journal or publisher affected by the case;
Restrict further submissions when serious or repeated misconduct is established;
Take another action consistent with publication-ethics guidance.

Restrictions on future submissions will not be imposed solely on the basis of an unverified allegation. Any restriction must be based on documented evidence and an appropriate editorial process.

Plagiarism Identified after Publication

A published article may be investigated when suspected plagiarism is reported by a reader, author, reviewer, institution, indexing service, publisher, or another party.

The editor will:

Record the allegation;
Conduct an initial assessment;
Compare the article with the alleged source;
Contact the corresponding author for clarification;
Contact all co-authors when necessary;
Consult the original author or rights holder when appropriate;
Request institutional investigation when required;
Maintain confidentiality during the investigation;
Document the evidence and editorial decision.

The investigation will follow the COPE flowchart for plagiarism in a published article.

Post-Publication Editorial Actions

When plagiarism or inappropriate duplication is confirmed after publication, JAEB may issue:

Correction

A correction may be published when the problem is limited and does not invalidate the article's main findings or overall originality.

Expression of Concern

An expression of concern may be issued when serious questions exist but an investigation has not been completed or reliable evidence cannot yet be obtained.

Retraction

An article may be retracted when plagiarism, duplicate publication, unreliable findings, copyright infringement, or another serious violation substantially affects the integrity of the publication.

Retraction decisions follow the COPE Retraction Guidelines.

A retracted article will remain available in the journal archive when technically and legally possible. The article and its landing page will be clearly identified as retracted, and a retraction notice will explain the reason for the action.

Removal

Article removal is reserved for exceptional circumstances involving serious legal requirements, privacy risks, public-safety risks, or court orders. Removal is not used as a routine response to plagiarism.

Complaints and Reports

Any person may report suspected plagiarism or duplicate publication to the JAEB editorial office.

A report should include:

The title of the JAEB manuscript or article;
The names of the authors, when known;
The title and location of the suspected original source;
A description of the alleged overlap;
Relevant page numbers, passages, tables, or figures;
Supporting files or links;
The reporter's contact information.

Anonymous reports may be considered when they contain specific and verifiable evidence.

The journal will not act solely on unsupported allegations, personal disputes, or claims made without sufficient information for an initial assessment.

Appeals

Authors may appeal a plagiarism-related editorial decision when they believe that:

The similarity report was interpreted incorrectly;
The matching material was cited and permitted appropriately;
The editor overlooked relevant evidence;
The journal did not follow its stated procedure;
The decision was based on a material factual error.

An appeal must:

Be submitted in writing;
Identify the manuscript or article;
State the grounds for appeal clearly;
Provide supporting documentation;
Avoid personal attacks or unsupported accusations.

The editor-in-chief may consult an independent editor, reviewer, ethics adviser, or publisher before deciding the appeal.

An appeal does not guarantee that the original decision will be changed.

Author Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for ensuring that:

The manuscript is original;
All sources are cited accurately;
Direct quotations are identified clearly;
Paraphrasing represents genuine original writing;
Data, tables, figures, images, and code are attributed properly;
Copyright permissions have been obtained when required;
Related publications and submissions are disclosed;
Text recycling is transparent and appropriately cited;
Every reference is authentic and verifiable;
All authors have reviewed and approved the submitted manuscript;
All authors cooperate with any ethical investigation.

The corresponding author is responsible for communicating this policy to all co-authors and coordinating responses to editorial inquiries.

Editorial Responsibilities

Editors must:

Evaluate allegations fairly and consistently;
Avoid relying only on similarity percentages;
Review the actual matched material;
Provide authors with an opportunity to respond;
Maintain confidentiality during an investigation;
Declare conflicts of interest;
Document the evidence and decision;
Apply appropriate and proportionate editorial action;
Follow relevant journal policies and COPE guidance;
Correct the publication record when necessary.

Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers must:

Report suspected plagiarism confidentially to the editor;
Provide supporting evidence when possible;
Avoid contacting the authors directly;
Protect unpublished material;
Refrain from using ideas or data obtained through peer review;
Avoid making unsupported accusations;
Continue to follow the journal's confidentiality requirements after completing the review.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

Authors remain responsible for the originality, accuracy, and integrity of all manuscript content, including material produced or revised with artificial intelligence tools.

Artificial intelligence tools must not be used to:

Copy or disguise material from existing sources;
Generate fabricated references;
Create false quotations;
Fabricate or manipulate data;
Produce misleading paraphrases;
Conceal duplicate publication;
Replace the author's responsibility to verify and cite sources.

Material use of generative artificial intelligence must be disclosed in accordance with the JAEB policy on artificial intelligence tools.

An artificial intelligence detection score alone will not be treated as conclusive evidence of plagiarism or misconduct. Any concern must be assessed using the manuscript, sources, documentation, and other relevant evidence.

Record Keeping

JAEB may retain similarity reports, correspondence, author explanations, reviewer reports, editorial assessments, and other relevant documentation for editorial, legal, audit, accreditation, and research-integrity purposes.

Access to such records is limited to authorized editorial personnel, the publisher, and relevant institutional or legal authorities when disclosure is necessary and permitted.

Confidentiality and Fair Procedure

All allegations will be handled confidentially, fairly, and without discrimination.

The journal will:

Avoid making public accusations before completing an appropriate assessment;
Provide affected authors with an opportunity to respond;
Protect whistleblowers from unnecessary disclosure when possible;
Distinguish honest errors from deliberate misconduct;
Apply actions proportionate to the evidence and seriousness of the case;
Correct the scholarly record when required.

Editorial Contact

Questions, reports, or appeals concerning plagiarism, duplicate publication, text recycling, similarity screening, or research integrity should be addressed to the official JAEB editorial office.

Journal of Applied Economics & Business
Publisher: PT Penerbit Velora Indonesia
Email: ejournal@veloraindonesia.com
Website: veloraindonesia.com

This Plagiarism Policy forms part of the editorial policies of the Journal of Applied Economics & Business. JAEB may revise this policy periodically to maintain consistency with developments in similarity-detection practices, scholarly publishing, copyright, research integrity, publication ethics, and national journal-accreditation requirements.