Plagiarism, Originality, and AI-Assisted Writing Policy

The International Journal of Engineering, Technology and Natural Sciences (IJETS) is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and research integrity in accordance with the principles and best practice guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The Journal expects all authors to submit original scholarly work that demonstrates intellectual honesty, appropriate attribution of sources, and substantial human authorship.

All manuscripts submitted to IJETS must be original, must not have been published previously, and must not be under consideration by another journal. Authors are responsible for ensuring that all submitted work complies with internationally accepted standards of academic integrity and ethical scholarly communication.

Similarity and AI Screening Requirements

Before submitting a manuscript, authors are required to screen their work using a recognized plagiarism detection system, such as CrossCheck/iThenticate or an equivalent similarity-checking tool. Authors must also evaluate the manuscript using a reliable AI-content detection system.

During submission, authors must provide:

• a similarity report generated by a recognized plagiarism detection tool; and
• an AI-content detection report.

To be eligible for editorial assessment, manuscripts should satisfy the following requirements:

• an overall similarity index of less than 20%, excluding the bibliography and references; and
• a maximum similarity of 3% for any individual source.

These thresholds are intended to support editorial evaluation and should not be interpreted as the sole determinants of originality. Editorial decisions are based on both quantitative similarity scores and qualitative assessment of the manuscript. Even when similarity scores fall below the stated thresholds, manuscripts may be rejected if evidence of plagiarism, redundant publication, inappropriate text recycling, or other forms of publication misconduct is identified.

Originality and Author Responsibility

Authors are solely responsible for the originality, authenticity, and accuracy of their manuscripts. Submission of a manuscript confirms that:

• the work is the authors' own original intellectual contribution;
• all sources have been accurately acknowledged and cited;
• any reproduced material has been used with appropriate permission where required;
• all listed authors have made substantial scholarly contributions to the work; and
• the manuscript does not contain plagiarism, self-plagiarism, duplicate publication, or any other form of academic misconduct.

The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript before submission.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

IJETNS recognizes that artificial intelligence technologies may be used as assistive tools during manuscript preparation, such as for improving language, grammar, readability, or formatting. However, AI technologies must not replace the authors' intellectual contribution, scientific reasoning, critical analysis, interpretation of results, or scholarly judgment.

Artificial intelligence tools cannot be listed as authors because they cannot assume responsibility for the integrity, accuracy, or accountability of scholarly work.

Authors who use AI-assisted technologies during manuscript preparation should disclose such use in an appropriate section of the manuscript when the AI tool has made a meaningful contribution to drafting or editing the text. Authors remain fully responsible for verifying the accuracy of all content, ensuring proper citation of sources, and correcting any factual inaccuracies, fabricated references, biased statements, or misleading information generated by AI systems.

Manuscripts determined by the Editorial Office to consist predominantly of AI-generated content without substantial human intellectual contribution may be rejected.

Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the presentation of another person's ideas, words, data, figures, images, or other intellectual property as one's own without appropriate acknowledgment, citation, or permission. Plagiarism represents a serious violation of publication ethics and is unacceptable in all forms.

IJETNS recognizes several forms of plagiarism, including, but not limited to, the following.

1. Direct (Verbatim) Plagiarism

Direct plagiarism occurs when text or other scholarly content is copied word-for-word, either in whole or in part, without quotation, attribution, permission where required, or proper citation of the original source.

2. Substantial Plagiarism

Substantial plagiarism involves reproducing significant portions of another person's intellectual work without appropriate acknowledgment or authorization. The significance may be quantitative, involving extensive copying of text or data, or qualitative, involving the unauthorized use of original concepts, methodologies, figures, tables, interpretations, or other essential scholarly contributions.

3. Inappropriate Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is an acceptable academic practice only when authors substantially rewrite the original material in their own analytical language and provide appropriate citation to the original source. Merely replacing words with synonyms, altering sentence structure, or making superficial linguistic changes without proper acknowledgment constitutes plagiarism.

4. Self-Plagiarism and Redundant Publication

Self-plagiarism occurs when authors reuse substantial portions of their previously published work without appropriate citation or justification. Redundant or duplicate publication, including simultaneous submission of substantially similar manuscripts to multiple journals, is considered unethical and is not permitted.

Editorial Assessment and Ethical Procedures

Every submitted manuscript undergoes an initial editorial screening that includes similarity assessment and evaluation for compliance with the Journal's ethical standards. Where concerns regarding originality or publication ethics arise, the Editorial Office may request clarification, supporting documentation, or manuscript revision before proceeding with peer review.

When suspected plagiarism, duplicate publication, image manipulation, inappropriate AI-generated content, or other forms of publication misconduct are identified, IJETNS will investigate the matter in accordance with the COPE Core Practices and COPE flowcharts. Depending on the severity of the case, the Journal may:

• request an explanation from the authors;
• require revision or correction of the manuscript;
• reject the manuscript before or after peer review;
• retract or correct a published article when necessary;
• publish an editorial notice, correction, or retraction where appropriate; and
• notify the authors' institutions, funding agencies, or other relevant organizations in cases of confirmed serious publication misconduct.

All investigations will be conducted fairly, confidentially, impartially, and consistently, ensuring that authors are given an appropriate opportunity to respond before any final editorial decision is made.

Commitment to Publication Ethics

IJETNS is committed to promoting integrity, transparency, accountability, and responsible research practices throughout the publication process. Authors, reviewers, editors, and members of the Editorial Board are expected to adhere to internationally recognized standards of publication ethics and to cooperate fully in maintaining the quality and credibility of the scholarly record.