Plagiarism Policy and Academic Integrity

Advances in Educational Studies and Inclusive Practices (AESIP), published by Synergy Publication, is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, originality, and ethical scholarly publishing.

In accordance with the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations on Promotion of Academic Integrity and Prevention of Plagiarism in Higher Educational Institutions, 2018 (as amended), AESIP adopts a maximum permissible similarity threshold of less than 10% for manuscripts to be considered acceptable in terms of originality.

The journal also follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidance on plagiarism, text recycling (self-plagiarism), duplicate publication, citation manipulation, and other forms of publication misconduct.

Similarity Threshold and Screening Tools

  • Maximum permissible similarity: ≤ 10% (after excluding bibliography, quoted material, references, and other accepted exclusions).
  • Similarity is assessed using iThenticate plagiarism detection software provided through Crossref.

Exclusions from Similarity Assessment

The following content is generally excluded from similarity calculations where appropriate:

  • Properly quoted text with appropriate citation and quotation marks.
  • References, bibliography, acknowledgements, footnotes, and standard citation formats.
  • Common methodological descriptions and discipline-specific standard terminology.
  • Author self-citations that are properly disclosed and appropriately referenced.

Manuscripts exceeding the 10% similarity threshold after these exclusions may be considered to contain unacceptable textual overlap and will be evaluated according to the journal's plagiarism procedures.

Author Responsibilities Before Submission

Authors are strongly encouraged to:

  • Screen manuscripts using reliable plagiarism detection software before submission.
  • Ensure accurate citation, quotation, and paraphrasing of all published sources.
  • Clearly disclose and appropriately cite any reuse of previously published material.
  • Submit only original work that is not under consideration elsewhere, except where preprints, theses, dissertations, or conference papers are permitted and fully disclosed.

By submitting a manuscript, the corresponding author confirms that the submission:

  • Is original and free from plagiarism.
  • Complies with the journal's similarity threshold of less than 10%.
  • Meets internationally accepted standards of research integrity and publication ethics.

Plagiarism Screening Process

Every manuscript submitted to AESIP undergoes mandatory plagiarism screening before entering peer review.

  1. Automated similarity analysis using iThenticate plagiarism detection software provided through Crossref.
  2. Editorial assessment of all flagged similarities.
  3. Manual evaluation of the similarity report to distinguish acceptable overlap from potential misconduct.

Editorial Decisions Based on Similarity Reports

  • Similarity ≤ 10% (after accepted exclusions): The manuscript normally proceeds to editorial assessment and peer review.
  • Similarity > 10%: The manuscript may be returned to the authors for revision and resubmission if the overlap is considered correctable.
  • Substantial similarity or evidence of plagiarism, duplicate publication, or other misconduct: The manuscript may be rejected without peer review.

Handling Plagiarism and Publication Misconduct

Where plagiarism or other publication misconduct is confirmed, the journal follows the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and, where applicable, the UGC Regulations on Academic Integrity.

Pre-Publication Actions

  • Immediate rejection of the manuscript.
  • Notification to the corresponding author with supporting evidence.
  • Communication with the author's institution or funding agency where warranted.
  • Temporary restriction on future submissions to AESIP or other journals published by Synergy Publication, depending on the severity of the misconduct.

Post-Publication Actions

  • Publication of a Correction, Expression of Concern, or Retraction, as appropriate.
  • Notification of relevant institutions, funding agencies, and indexing services where appropriate.
  • Permanent restrictions on future submissions in cases of serious or repeated publication misconduct.

Self-Plagiarism and Text Recycling

  • Authors must fully disclose and appropriately cite any reused material from their own previously published work.
  • Limited overlap in methodology or background sections may be acceptable when properly referenced and scientifically justified.
  • Undisclosed or excessive reuse of previously published text is treated as self-plagiarism and will be handled in accordance with the journal's plagiarism policy.