Plagiarism Prevention Policy

Indonesian Discourse on Communication, Democracy, and Political Movements (e-ISSN: XXXX-XXXX), published by COLLEGIUM JUSTICIA INDONESIA, is committed to maintaining academic integrity and ensuring the originality and reliability of all published scholarly work. The journal considers plagiarism and other forms of inappropriate text or intellectual reuse to be serious violations of publication ethics.

The journal follows internationally recognized principles of publication ethics, including relevant guidance and practices promoted by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Definition of Plagiarism

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

Plagiarism may include, but is not limited to:

  • copying text, sentences, paragraphs, or substantial portions of another work without proper citation;
  • presenting another person's ideas, arguments, theories, or findings as one's own;
  • using data, tables, figures, images, or other materials without appropriate acknowledgment or permission where required;
  • substantial or inappropriate reuse of the author's own previously published material without proper disclosure or citation (self-plagiarism);
  • translating and presenting previously published material as original work without appropriate attribution;
  • submitting substantially similar or overlapping manuscripts to more than one journal;
  • manipulating citations or references to conceal the source of material; and
  • using AI-generated or AI-assisted content without appropriate disclosure where disclosure is required or in a manner that misrepresents authorship or originality.

2. Similarity Screening

All manuscripts submitted to the journal may undergo plagiarism and similarity screening at one or more stages of the editorial and publication process.

The journal may use appropriate similarity-detection software or other research-integrity tools to identify potentially problematic textual overlap.

Similarity screening is an editorial aid and does not, by itself, constitute a determination of plagiarism. The editorial team will assess the context, source of the similarity, extent of overlap, citation practices, and scholarly nature of the material before making a decision.

Commonly used technical or disciplinary terminology, properly quoted material, references, methodological descriptions, and other legitimate forms of textual overlap may contribute to a similarity score and will be assessed appropriately.

3. Similarity and Editorial Assessment

The journal does not apply a single similarity percentage as an automatic basis for accepting or rejecting a manuscript. A similarity score is considered together with qualitative assessment of the manuscript.

Particular attention will be given to:

  • substantial unattributed copying;
  • repeated copying from a single source;
  • copied ideas or arguments presented without attribution;
  • inappropriate reuse of previously published material;
  • extensive overlap with the author's own publications;
  • plagiarism in the core findings, discussion, or conclusions of a manuscript; and
  • evidence suggesting deliberate concealment of the original source.

The final determination regarding suspected plagiarism is made by the Editor-in-Chief or designated editor based on the available evidence and applicable publication-ethics principles.

4. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are primarily responsible for ensuring the originality and academic integrity of their manuscripts.

Before submission, authors must:

  • ensure that all sources are properly cited and included in the reference list;
  • use quotation marks and appropriate citations when reproducing exact wording;
  • clearly distinguish their own contributions from the work of other researchers;
  • obtain permission when required to reproduce copyrighted material;
  • disclose relevant previously published work that overlaps substantially with the submitted manuscript;
  • avoid submitting the same or substantially similar manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously; and
  • ensure that any use of AI-assisted tools complies with the journal's applicable policies.

Submission of a manuscript constitutes the authors' affirmation that the work has been prepared in accordance with academic and publication-ethics standards.

5. Self-Plagiarism and Text Recycling

The journal recognizes that authors may legitimately reuse limited portions of previously published material, particularly descriptions of established methods or background information, when such reuse is transparent, justified, and appropriately cited.

However, substantial or inappropriate reuse of previously published text, data, analysis, figures, or arguments without disclosure may constitute self-plagiarism, redundant publication, or duplicate publication.

Authors must inform the editor when a submitted manuscript substantially overlaps with their previous publications, preprints, conference papers, theses, dissertations, or other publicly available materials.

The editorial team will assess whether the overlap is legitimate and appropriately disclosed.

6. Plagiarism Detected Before Publication

If plagiarism or substantial unattributed overlap is identified during editorial screening or peer review, the journal may take one or more of the following actions depending on the severity of the case:

  • request an explanation or clarification from the authors;
  • request appropriate revision and attribution;
  • reject the manuscript;
  • suspend or terminate the editorial process;
  • notify the relevant institutional or research authority where appropriate; or
  • take other measures consistent with applicable publication-ethics guidance.

Serious or deliberate plagiarism may result in rejection without an opportunity for resubmission.

7. Plagiarism Detected After Publication

If credible evidence of plagiarism is identified after an article has been published, the journal will investigate the matter in accordance with its publication-ethics procedures.

Depending on the findings and severity of the misconduct, the journal may:

  • publish a correction or clarification;
  • issue an Expression of Concern;
  • retract the article;
  • publish an appropriate retraction notice explaining the reason for the action;
  • notify the authors' affiliated institution or relevant authority; or
  • take other appropriate steps to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

Any post-publication action will be taken with consideration of fairness, evidence, transparency, and the need to maintain the accuracy of the academic record.

8. Allegations and Investigations

Allegations of plagiarism may be raised by editors, reviewers, authors, readers, institutions, or other stakeholders.

All credible allegations will be treated seriously and assessed confidentially and objectively.

The journal may request relevant evidence, original sources, research materials, or explanations from the authors. Where appropriate, the journal may consult the authors' institution or other competent bodies to support an investigation.

The journal will not make a final determination solely on the basis of an automated similarity score.

9. Plagiarism in Special Issues

Manuscripts submitted to Special Issues are subject to exactly the same plagiarism-prevention and research-integrity requirements as manuscripts submitted to regular issues.

Guest editors and reviewers are expected to report suspected plagiarism or inappropriate text reuse to the Editor-in-Chief or designated editorial contact.

Participation in a Special Issue does not exempt a manuscript from plagiarism screening or other editorial integrity checks.

10. AI-Assisted Writing and Plagiarism

The use of generative AI or AI-assisted technologies does not remove the author's responsibility for originality, attribution, accuracy, and research integrity.

Authors must not use AI tools to reproduce copyrighted or unattributed material and present it as their own work.

Where AI-assisted tools have been used in a manner that requires disclosure under the journal's AI policy, the use must be appropriately declared. AI tools cannot be listed as authors.

Authors remain fully responsible for verifying citations, factual claims, quotations, references, and other content generated or assisted by AI.

11. Appeals and Disputes

Authors who believe that a plagiarism-related editorial decision has been made in error may submit an appeal with a clear explanation and supporting evidence.

Appeals will be considered by the Editor-in-Chief or an appropriate independent member of the editorial team who was not directly involved in the original decision, where feasible.

The journal's decision following an appeal will be based on the available evidence and applicable publication-ethics standards.

12. Commitment to Academic Integrity

The journal is committed to preventing plagiarism and protecting the integrity of the scholarly record. Plagiarism prevention is regarded as a shared responsibility among authors, editors, reviewers, the publisher, and the wider academic community.

The journal may periodically update this policy to reflect developments in research-integrity standards, publication-ethics guidance, and scholarly publishing practices.

By submitting a manuscript to the journal, authors acknowledge and agree to comply with this Plagiarism Prevention Policy.