Plagiarism and Academic Integrity Policy

Regional Studies Journal (RSJ) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic and scientific integrity. Plagiarism and all forms of unauthorized use of others’ work are considered practices that violate the principles of research integrity and scholarly publishing ethics.

1. Similarity Check

All manuscripts submitted to RSJ are screened for similarity using iThenticate before being sent to reviewers. The purpose of this screening is to identify textual overlap and previously published content that may require further editorial examination. The similarity report itself is not considered conclusive evidence of plagiarism.

2. Evaluation of Similarity Reports

The Editorial Board reviews the iThenticate report and evaluates the nature, sources, and context of any overlapping text, taking into account the type and discipline of the manuscript.

Similarity may result from the use of common scientific terminology, standard methodological descriptions, titles, institutional names, properly cited passages, or bibliographic references. Therefore, the journal does not rely on a single numerical threshold as the sole criterion for determining whether plagiarism has occurred.

3. Plagiarism

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

• Using others’ texts, ideas, results, or data without appropriate citation.
• Copying portions of published work without appropriate referencing or quotation.
• Presenting another person’s work, in whole or in part, as one’s own.
• Reusing substantial portions of the author’s own previously published work without appropriate disclosure or citation.
• Submitting the same manuscript, or substantial parts of it, to more than one journal simultaneously.

4. Handling Unjustified Similarity

If similarity screening reveals overlapping material that requires clarification, the Editorial Board may request an explanation from the author or take appropriate editorial action, depending on the nature and circumstances of the case.

When the available evidence indicates plagiarism or research misconduct, the Editorial Board will take appropriate action in accordance with the journal’s Publication Ethics Policy and internationally recognized principles of academic and research integrity.

5. Similarity in Published Articles

If plagiarism or substantial unjustified similarity is discovered after publication, the Editorial Board will investigate the matter and take appropriate action, which may include issuing a correction or retracting the article, depending on the nature and severity of the violation and its impact on the integrity of the scholarly record.

6. Author Responsibility

Authors are responsible for ensuring the originality of their manuscripts, the accuracy and integrity of their citations and references, and the appropriate disclosure of relevant prior work. Authors must also ensure that material already published or under consideration elsewhere is not submitted in a manner that conflicts with the journal’s policies.

7. Use of Similarity Detection Tools

RSJ uses similarity detection tools, including iThenticate, as supportive instruments in the editorial evaluation process. The results of these tools do not replace academic judgment or responsible editorial decision-making