Plagiarism Policy and Academic Integrity

Journal of Advancing Global Order, Regions, and Antiquity (J-AGORA), published by Synergy Publication, is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, originality, transparency, and ethical scholarly publishing.

In accordance with internationally recognized principles of academic integrity and responsible research practices, J-AGORA adopts a maximum permissible similarity threshold of less than 10% for submitted manuscripts to ensure originality and scholarly contribution.

The journal follows the guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) regarding 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, properly quoted material, references, and other accepted exclusions).
  • Similarity assessment is conducted using iThenticate plagiarism detection software provided through Crossref.

Exclusions from Similarity Assessment

The following content may be excluded from similarity calculations where appropriate:

  • Properly quoted passages with appropriate citations and quotation marks.
  • References, bibliography, acknowledgements, footnotes, and standard citation elements.
  • Commonly used academic terminology, methodological descriptions, and discipline-specific expressions.
  • Author self-citations that are transparently disclosed and correctly 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 and publication ethics procedures.

Author Responsibilities Before Submission

Authors are expected to:

  • Ensure that submitted manuscripts represent original scholarly work.
  • Use appropriate citations, references, quotations, and acknowledgements for all sources, including archival materials, historical documents, and previously published scholarship.
  • Clearly disclose and properly reference any reused material from previous publications.
  • Submit manuscripts that are not under consideration elsewhere, except where preprints, dissertations, conference papers, or other prior dissemination has been disclosed according to journal policy.

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%.
  • Follows internationally accepted standards of research integrity and publication ethics.

Plagiarism Screening Process

Every manuscript submitted to J-AGORA undergoes plagiarism screening before entering the peer review process.

  1. Automated similarity analysis using iThenticate plagiarism detection software provided through Crossref.
  2. Editorial review of identified similarities and matching sources.
  3. Manual evaluation of similarity reports to distinguish acceptable scholarly overlap from potential plagiarism or publication misconduct.

Editorial Decisions Based on Similarity Reports

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

Handling Plagiarism and Publication Misconduct

When plagiarism or other forms of publication misconduct are identified, J-AGORA follows the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Pre-Publication Actions

  • Rejection of the manuscript where serious plagiarism or misconduct is confirmed.
  • Notification of the corresponding author with details of the identified concerns.
  • Communication with the author's institution, research organization, or funding body where appropriate.
  • Restriction of future submissions to J-AGORA or other journals published by Synergy Publication depending on the seriousness and recurrence of the violation.

Post-Publication Actions

  • Publication of a Correction, Expression of Concern, or Retraction, depending on the nature and severity of the issue.
  • Notification of relevant institutions, funding agencies, and indexing services where necessary.
  • Permanent restrictions on future submissions in cases involving serious or repeated academic misconduct.

Self-Plagiarism and Text Recycling

  • Authors must disclose and properly cite any material reused from their own previously published works.
  • Limited overlap in sections such as methodology, theoretical background, historical context, or research framework may be acceptable when appropriately referenced and scientifically or academically justified.
  • Undisclosed, excessive, or misleading reuse of previously published text, arguments, interpretations, or research outputs is considered self-plagiarism and will be addressed according to the journal's publication ethics policies.