When screening may occur

Manuscripts may be screened at one or more editorial stages

Manuscripts submitted to JBSS may be examined using plagiarism-detection or text-similarity software:

Editorial interpretation

Reports are reviewed carefully and in context

Editors consider:

✓ the nature and extent of the similarities;

✓ whether the original sources were properly cited;

✓ whether quotation marks were used where necessary;

✓ whether the overlap occurs in methods, references, standard terminology, or original analysis;

✓ whether the manuscript contains unattributed copying or inappropriate reuse of previously published material.

Direct plagiarism

Copying text, ideas, data, figures, tables, images, or other material from another source without proper attribution.

Mosaic plagiarism

Combining copied or closely paraphrased passages from different sources without appropriate citation or clear acknowledgment.

Inappropriate paraphrasing

Rewriting another author's work with only minor changes while retaining its original structure, meaning, or sequence without proper acknowledgment.

Self-plagiarism and text recycling

Reusing substantial portions of an author's previously published work without citation, disclosure, or a legitimate editorial justification.

Duplicate or redundant publication

Submitting or publishing substantially the same manuscript, dataset, results, or conclusions in more than one journal without transparent disclosure and appropriate authorization.

Image or data manipulation

Presenting altered, fabricated, falsified, duplicated, selectively edited, or misleading images, datasets, results, or research records.

Uncredited translation

Translating previously published content into another language and presenting it as original work without citation and permission where required.

Author assurance

Submission confirms responsibility for originality and attribution

Authors are responsible for reviewing the manuscript before submission and ensuring that all sources and reused materials are clearly identified.

Corresponding authors should ensure that all co-authors are aware of the submitted content and agree with its originality, attribution, disclosures, and ethical statements.

Authors must:

✓ submit only original work;

✓ cite all relevant sources accurately;

✓ use quotation marks for verbatim text where appropriate;

✓ disclose overlap with previous publications, preprints, conference papers, reports, theses, or related manuscripts;

✓ obtain permission for copyrighted material when required;

✓ confirm that the manuscript is not under simultaneous consideration by another journal;

✓ provide explanations, original data, images, or source files when requested by the Editorial Office.

Evidence

Decisions must be supported by available information.

Context

Similarities are assessed according to their nature and source.

Proportionality

Editorial action should correspond to the severity of the issue.

Fairness

Authors are given an appropriate opportunity to respond.

Appeals

Authors may request reconsideration

Authors may appeal an editorial decision related to plagiarism or similarity findings by submitting a detailed written explanation and supporting evidence to the Editorial Office.

Appeals will be reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or by an independent editor who was not directly involved in the initial decision. The final decision will be based on the available evidence and the journal's publication ethics policies.

Confidentiality

Reports and investigations are handled confidentially

Similarity reports and misconduct investigations are treated confidentially. Information is shared only with individuals or institutions directly involved in evaluating, investigating, or resolving the case.