Anti-Plagiarism Policy

The Indonesian Anti-Corruption Studies (IACS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, originality, and responsible scholarly publishing. The journal does not tolerate plagiarism or other forms of unethical text or intellectual content reuse.

This policy is informed by internationally recognized publication ethics principles, including relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and other applicable research integrity standards.

1. Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the use of another person's words, ideas, arguments, data, findings, images, or other intellectual work without appropriate acknowledgment or attribution.

Plagiarism may occur through, among other practices:

  • direct copying of text without quotation and citation;

  • presenting another person's ideas or arguments as one's own;

  • inappropriate or inadequate paraphrasing;

  • copying or reproducing data, tables, figures, or images without appropriate attribution or permission where required;

  • translating and presenting another person's work as original without acknowledgment;

  • substantial use of another author's work without proper citation; and

  • other forms of misappropriation of intellectual contributions.

Plagiarism may occur regardless of whether the copied material is obtained from published or unpublished sources, including journal articles, books, theses, dissertations, conference papers, websites, reports, datasets, working papers, or other sources.

2. Self-Plagiarism and Text Recycling

IACS recognizes that authors may legitimately build upon their previous scholarly work. However, substantial reuse of previously published text, data, analysis, or findings without appropriate disclosure and citation may constitute self-plagiarism, redundant publication, or inappropriate text recycling.

Authors must clearly identify and cite relevant previous publications and disclose substantial overlap between the submitted manuscript and their earlier work.

The Editorial Team will assess text recycling according to its extent, purpose, location within the manuscript, transparency of disclosure, and potential effect on the originality of the publication.

3. Duplicate and Redundant Publication

Authors must not submit substantially the same manuscript simultaneously to more than one journal.

A manuscript may be considered redundant or duplicate publication where it substantially overlaps with an existing publication without adequate justification, disclosure, citation, or appropriate distinction.

IACS may reject a manuscript or take post-publication action where duplicate or redundant publication is identified.

4. Similarity Screening

All submitted manuscripts may be subjected to similarity or originality screening using appropriate plagiarism-detection or text-comparison tools.

Similarity screening may be conducted:

  • during initial editorial screening;

  • before peer review;

  • during revision;

  • before publication; or

  • after publication where concerns are raised.

The journal does not rely exclusively on a similarity percentage to determine whether plagiarism has occurred.

A similarity score may result from legitimate sources such as references, quotations, commonly used terminology, legal provisions, institutional names, methodological descriptions, or properly cited material.

Accordingly, there is no single similarity percentage that automatically constitutes plagiarism. Each case is assessed individually by the Editorial Team.

5. Editorial Assessment

Where similarity is identified, the Editorial Team may examine:

  • the source and nature of the matching material;

  • the amount and location of the overlap;

  • whether the material is appropriately cited;

  • whether quotation marks have been used where required;

  • whether paraphrasing is sufficiently original;

  • whether the overlap involves the authors' previous work;

  • whether the overlap affects the originality or scholarly contribution of the manuscript; and

  • whether there is evidence of intentional or systematic misconduct.

The Editorial Team may request an explanation or revision from the authors where appropriate.

6. Plagiarism Detected Before Peer Review

Where plagiarism or substantial inappropriate text reuse is identified before peer review, the Editorial Team may:

  • return the manuscript to the authors for clarification or correction;

  • request substantial revision;

  • reject the manuscript; or

  • initiate a formal publication ethics assessment where serious misconduct is suspected.

The appropriate action will depend on the seriousness and circumstances of the case.

7. Plagiarism Detected During Peer Review

If suspected plagiarism is identified during peer review, the Editor may suspend the review process while the matter is assessed.

Where substantial misconduct is confirmed, the manuscript may be rejected.

Reviewers who identify suspected plagiarism should report the concern confidentially to the Editor rather than contacting the authors directly about the allegation.

8. Plagiarism Detected After Publication

If credible evidence of plagiarism is identified after publication, IACS will assess the matter in accordance with its Publication Ethics Policy and relevant international publication ethics guidance.

Depending on the circumstances, the journal may:

  • issue a correction;

  • issue an expression of concern;

  • retract the article;

  • publish a retraction notice;

  • notify the authors' institution or relevant authority; or

  • take other appropriate action to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

A retracted article will normally remain accessible as part of the scholarly record but will be clearly identified as retracted.

9. Serious Forms of Plagiarism

Serious plagiarism may include:

  • extensive verbatim copying without attribution;

  • substantial appropriation of another author's argument, analysis, or findings;

  • plagiarism of research data or results;

  • systematic copying from multiple sources;

  • translation plagiarism;

  • plagiarism involving a significant portion of a manuscript; or

  • deliberate attempts to conceal the original source.

Serious cases may result in immediate rejection or retraction and may be referred to the relevant institution or research integrity authority.

10. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their manuscripts are original and appropriately acknowledge all sources.

Before submission, authors should:

  • conduct an originality check;

  • appropriately cite all sources;

  • use quotation marks for direct quotations;

  • provide accurate references;

  • properly paraphrase source material;

  • disclose relevant previous publications;

  • identify substantial overlap with previous work; and

  • obtain appropriate permissions for copyrighted material where required.

Authors remain responsible for plagiarism even where inappropriate copying resulted from an error, inadequate citation, or the use of automated tools.

11. Use of Artificial Intelligence

Authors remain responsible for ensuring that AI-assisted manuscripts do not contain unattributed or improperly reproduced material.

The use of generative AI does not exempt authors from the journal's plagiarism and originality requirements.

Authors must verify AI-generated or AI-assisted content, including quotations, references, citations, factual claims, legal authorities, and paraphrased material.

AI systems must not be treated as a substitute for appropriate source verification and scholarly attribution.

12. Citation Manipulation

IACS considers inappropriate citation practices to be a matter of research and publication integrity.

Authors, reviewers, and editors must not engage in citation manipulation, including:

  • adding irrelevant citations solely to increase citation counts;

  • coercive citation;

  • excessive self-citation without scholarly justification;

  • reciprocal citation arrangements intended to artificially increase citations; or

  • requesting citations for reasons unrelated to the manuscript's scholarly content.

13. Fair and Confidential Investigation

Allegations of plagiarism will be handled fairly and, where possible, confidentially.

The Editorial Team will provide authors with an appropriate opportunity to respond to substantive allegations before a final decision is made, except where immediate action is necessary to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

Where an investigation requires institutional involvement, the journal may communicate relevant information to the appropriate institution or research integrity body.

14. Relationship with Publication Ethics Policy

This Anti-Plagiarism Policy should be read together with the IACS:

  • Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement;

  • Peer Review Policy;

  • Author Guidelines;

  • Copyright and Licensing Policy; and

  • Research Ethics requirements.

Where a plagiarism concern also involves other forms of misconduct, the matter may be investigated under the journal's broader Publication Ethics Policy.

15. International Standards

IACS follows internationally recognized principles of publication ethics and research integrity and may refer to relevant guidance from organizations including the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) when assessing allegations of plagiarism, redundant publication, text recycling, and related misconduct.

The journal may update this policy as publication ethics standards and research integrity practices develop.

16. Zero Tolerance for Deliberate Plagiarism

IACS maintains a zero-tolerance approach to deliberate and serious plagiarism.

The journal's objective is not merely to detect textual similarity but to protect the originality, credibility, attribution, and integrity of scholarly research.

All authors are therefore expected to uphold the highest standards of academic honesty and responsible scholarly communication.