Where We Stand on Plagiarism
IJVRAS has a zero-tolerance policy on plagiarism. Every paper that comes in gets checked with plagiarism detection tools before it goes anywhere near a reviewer.
This isn't about being punitive — it's about keeping the integrity of published research intact. When someone reads a paper in IJVRAS, they should be able to trust that what they're reading is genuine, original work. That trust is only possible if we're rigorous about checking every submission.
If you're an author who's unsure whether something in your paper might raise a flag, it's better to sort it out before you submit. The guidelines below should help.
The Similarity Threshold
Plagiarism checkers give a "similarity score" — a percentage showing how much of your text matches other sources. Not all similarity is plagiarism (references, common terminology, standard phrases), but the score gives us a starting point.
How we interpret similarity scores (excluding references):
A score under 15% (excluding the reference list) is generally considered acceptable. Papers above that threshold are reviewed more carefully to understand the nature of the similarity. High scores don't always mean rejection, but they do mean we'll look closely.
What Counts as Plagiarism
Plagiarism comes in a few different forms, and some of them surprise people. These are the types we watch for:
Direct (Verbatim) Copying
Copying text word-for-word from another source without putting it in quotes and crediting the original author. Even a few sentences can count.
Paraphrasing Without Credit
Rewriting someone else's ideas in your own words without citing them. Changing the wording doesn't make it original — if the idea came from someone else, you need to say so.
Self-Plagiarism
Reusing significant portions of your own previously published work without disclosing that. Authors sometimes assume this is fine since the words are their own — it's not, unless properly acknowledged.
Mosaic Plagiarism
Piecing together phrases and sentences from several sources without proper citation. It can look original at first glance, but it's still plagiarism.
What Happens If Plagiarism Is Found
We handle plagiarism cases consistently, regardless of who the author is. The action we take depends on when the issue is discovered and how serious it is.
Found Before Publication
The paper is rejected outright. The author will be informed of the reason. Depending on severity, they may be asked to resubmit a corrected version or be barred from future submissions for a set period.
Found After Publication
The paper will be retracted. A public retraction notice will be posted on the paper itself so that anyone who reads it knows why it was removed. We do not quietly unpublish papers — the record needs to be clear.
Repeated or Severe Cases
Authors found to have committed serious or repeated plagiarism may be permanently banned from submitting to IJVRAS. We may also notify their institution in cases of deliberate misconduct.
Quick Tips for Staying in the Clear
Most plagiarism issues are accidental. Here are a few simple habits that will keep your work clean: