Plagiarism Policy

Research Integrity Policy

Plagiarism and Similarity Screening Policy

Journal of Consumer and Business Psychology

The Journal of Consumer and Business Psychology (JCBP) requires every submitted manuscript to represent original scholarly work and to acknowledge all ideas, words, data, images, tables, figures, instruments, and other materials obtained from external sources. Plagiarism, inappropriate text recycling, undisclosed duplicate publication, and any attempt to present another person's work as original work are prohibited.

Every manuscript is subject to similarity screening before external peer review. Additional checks may be conducted after revision, before publication, or whenever an editor, reviewer, reader, or other party raises a credible concern regarding originality.

Standard Threshold

Below 20%

After permitted exclusions and editorial verification.

Screening Stage

Before Peer Review

Repeated after major revision when required.

Screening Tools

Turnitin or iThenticate

Or another reliable similarity-checking service.

Final Assessment

Human Editorial Review

Decisions are not based only on a percentage.

Similarity Does Not Automatically Mean Plagiarism

A similarity score only identifies text that resembles material available in other sources. The editor examines the location, extent, source, attribution, context, and scholarly significance of every relevant match before determining whether a violation has occurred.

Learn more through Crossref Similarity Check .

Similarity Standard

Overall Similarity

The total similarity score should ordinarily remain below 20% after excluding the reference list, bibliographic entries, properly formatted quotations, and insignificant short matches. A score below this threshold does not automatically establish originality or guarantee acceptance.

Concentrated Similarity

Substantial similarity concentrated in one source, sentence, paragraph, table, figure, research instrument, or analytical section may be unacceptable even when the total similarity score remains below the stated threshold.

Manuscripts with a similarity score at or above 20% are subject to mandatory editorial examination. The editor may return the manuscript for correction, request clarification and supporting documents, reject the submission, or begin a formal publication ethics investigation depending on the nature and seriousness of the overlap.

Similarity Screening Workflow

Submission

The manuscript is screened after the technical and administrative submission requirements have been completed.

Verification

The editor examines the report, checks every significant source, and distinguishes legitimate similarity from inappropriate reuse.

Clarification

Authors may be asked to explain a match, provide an earlier publication, identify the source of reused material, or revise the manuscript.

Decision

The outcome and supporting documents are recorded in OJS before the manuscript proceeds to review or receives an editorial decision.

Screening Stages

Before External Review

Every manuscript is checked before reviewer assignment. A manuscript with unresolved originality concerns does not proceed to external peer review.

After Substantial Revision

A revised manuscript may be checked again when extensive text, new data, additional analysis, or new literature has been added.

Before Publication

The editorial team may conduct a final check before publication to ensure that the accepted version remains consistent with the journal's integrity requirements.

Forms of Plagiarism and Inappropriate Reuse

JCBP recognizes the following practices as potential violations of publication integrity.

Direct Plagiarism

Copying words, sentences, paragraphs, arguments, or other content from another source without quotation, citation, permission, or proper acknowledgment.

Mosaic Plagiarism

Combining phrases, ideas, sentence structures, or fragments from one or more sources while making only minor changes and failing to provide adequate attribution.

Inadequate Paraphrasing

Replacing selected words with synonyms while retaining the original structure, sequence, reasoning, or meaning without proper acknowledgment of the source.

Self-Plagiarism and Text Recycling

Reusing substantial parts of an author's previously published work without transparent citation, disclosure, justification, or permission when permission is required.

Translation Plagiarism

Translating content from another language and presenting it as original writing without citing and acknowledging the original source.

Data and Visual Plagiarism

Reusing data, datasets, tables, figures, photographs, diagrams, scales, instruments, or graphical material without attribution, authorization, or a clear statement of the original source.

Citation and Source Misrepresentation

Citing a source that was not consulted, attributing an idea to an incorrect source, copying references from another work without verification, or concealing the true origin of material.

Duplicate or Redundant Publication

Submitting or publishing substantially similar content, findings, analyses, or datasets in more than one publication without transparent cross-reference and adequate scientific justification.

AI-Assisted Concealment

Using generative artificial intelligence, automated paraphrasing, translation software, or text-spinning tools to disguise copied material does not remove the obligation to cite the original source.

Legitimate and Limited Textual Overlap

Standard Methodological Language

Limited similarity in standardized methodological descriptions may be acceptable when no practical alternative wording exists. Authors must still cite relevant sources and avoid copying extensive passages.

Properly Quoted Material

Short quotations may be used when quotation marks, page information where available, and accurate citations are provided. Excessive quotation may still reduce the manuscript's originality.

Previously Disseminated Material

Material derived from a thesis, dissertation, institutional repository, preprint, conference paper, research report, or earlier publication must be disclosed during submission and cited appropriately. Authors must explain how the submitted manuscript differs from and adds substantial value to the earlier version. Prior dissemination does not remove the requirement for originality, transparency, or copyright compliance.

Editorial Actions

Proceed to Review

The report shows no material originality concern and the manuscript meets the journal's screening requirements.

Return for Correction

Limited unattributed overlap, citation errors, or avoidable text recycling must be corrected before the manuscript enters peer review.

Reject the Submission

Substantial unattributed copying, duplicate publication, translation plagiarism, or serious reuse of data or visual material may result in immediate rejection.

Begin an Investigation

Evidence of deliberate or extensive misconduct may lead to an investigation, communication with the authors' institution, or other action under the journal's ethics policy.

Investigation and Author Clarification

When a potential violation is identified, the editor reviews the available evidence and may request a written explanation from the corresponding author. The author may be asked to provide original data, previous publications, permission records, source files, research instruments, or other supporting documents.

The journal gives the authors a reasonable opportunity to respond before making a final misconduct determination. Failure to respond, submission of incomplete explanations, or provision of misleading information may be considered when the editor reaches a decision.

Investigations are handled confidentially and follow the relevant guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) .

Plagiarism Identified After Publication

Allegations concerning a published article are evaluated regardless of when the article was published or who submitted the allegation. The journal may request clarification from the authors, consult independent experts, and communicate with the authors' institution when appropriate.

Correction

A correction may be issued when the problem is limited and does not invalidate the article's central findings.

Expression of Concern

An expression of concern may be published while a serious allegation remains under investigation or evidence remains inconclusive.

Retraction

An article may be retracted when plagiarism, duplicate publication, or another serious violation substantially affects its originality, reliability, or publication legitimacy.

A retracted article remains in the journal archive to preserve the scholarly record. Every electronic version will be clearly identified as retracted and linked to a notice explaining the reason for the action.

Responsibilities

Authors

Authors must submit original work, cite all sources accurately, disclose previous dissemination, obtain required permissions, verify references, and cooperate with originality investigations.

Reviewers

Reviewers must inform the editor when they identify substantial similarity, unattributed material, duplicate publication, or relevant work that the authors have not acknowledged.

Editors

Editors must assess similarity reports objectively, protect confidentiality, document editorial actions, allow reasonable clarification, and apply the policy consistently to every submission.

Editorial Documentation and Audit Trail

JCBP maintains appropriate evidence of plagiarism and similarity screening in the editorial system. Records may include the similarity report, the screened manuscript, editorial assessment notes, author clarification, revised files, supporting documents, decision letters, and relevant correspondence.

Access to these records is restricted to authorized editorial personnel. Similarity reports and submitted manuscripts are used only for legitimate editorial, review, investigation, and publication integrity purposes.

Appeals and Complaints

Authors may appeal a plagiarism-related editorial decision by submitting a written explanation and relevant evidence to the Editor-in-Chief within the period stated in the decision letter. The appeal must identify the disputed similarity, explain its source, and provide a clear academic or legal basis for reconsideration.

The appeal may be examined by an editor who was not directly responsible for the original decision. An appeal does not automatically suspend an investigation or reverse an editorial decision. The decision issued after the appeal has been evaluated is final.

Consistent Application

This policy applies equally to all authors, including editors, editorial board members, reviewers, invited authors, institutional partners, and individuals affiliated with the publisher. Editorial position, institutional status, reputation, or payment of publication charges does not exempt a manuscript from originality screening.

Journal of Consumer and Business Psychology