Plagiarism Screening Policy

Policy Statement

All manuscripts submitted to BETA-BAREKENG : Journal of Mathematics and Computer Science are screened for textual similarity as part of the journal’s editorial quality control process. This screening is intended to detect possible plagiarism, self-plagiarism, duplicate publication, and other forms of unethical text reuse.

The journal does not tolerate plagiarism in any form. Manuscripts found to contain substantial plagiarism or unethical text reuse may be rejected at any stage of the editorial process, including after publication if necessary.

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Screening Tools

The journal may use similarity detection tools such as Crossref Similarity Check powered by iThenticate, Turnitin, or other equivalent plagiarism detection services available to the editorial office.

Similarity screening may be conducted:

• upon initial submission, before peer review;
• during revision stages, if needed;
• before final acceptance; and
• after publication, if concerns are raised.

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Similarity Threshold

The journal applies a maximum acceptable similarity index of not more than 25%.

This similarity threshold is interpreted with editorial judgment and normally excludes:

• reference lists and bibliography,
• properly quoted text,
• common methodological phrases,
• commonly used technical terms, and
• standard mathematical expressions or routine definitions.

A similarity score below 25% does not automatically guarantee that a manuscript is free from plagiarism, and a score above 25% does not automatically prove plagiarism. The final interpretation remains the responsibility of the Editor based on the context, source overlap, and nature of the reused text.

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What Counts as Plagiarism

For the purpose of this journal, plagiarism may include, but is not limited to:

• Literal copying – reproducing text word-for-word without proper acknowledgment;
• Substantial copying – reproducing a substantial part of another work, even if not copied in full;
• Paraphrasing without attribution – rewording another person’s ideas, structure, or arguments without proper citation;
• Self-plagiarism / text recycling – reusing significant portions of one’s own previously published work without appropriate disclosure or citation;
• Duplicate or redundant publication – submitting or publishing substantially similar material in more than one outlet without transparent disclosure.

Plagiarism may involve text, ideas, data, figures, tables, algorithms, computer code, models, or other intellectual content.

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Editorial Assessment

When a similarity report indicates overlap, the editorial team will assess the manuscript carefully. The assessment may consider:

• the percentage of similarity;
• the number and nature of the overlapping sources;
• whether the overlap appears in methods, references, or core discussion/results;
• whether the reused material is properly cited and quoted;
• whether the overlap constitutes legitimate reuse or unethical copying.

Similarity in references, formulaic expressions, or standard methodology language may be acceptable. However, similarity in the abstract, introduction, results, discussion, conclusion, proofs, or original analysis may raise serious ethical concerns.

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Possible Editorial Actions

Depending on the severity and nature of the overlap, the journal may take one or more of the following actions:

• Proceed to review, if the overlap is minor and acceptable;
• Request revision, if the manuscript requires better citation, paraphrasing, or clarification;
• Reject the manuscript, if significant plagiarism, self-plagiarism, or duplicate publication is identified;
• Request explanation from the author(s) before making a final decision;
• Inform relevant parties, where necessary and appropriate under publication ethics procedures;
• Issue correction, expression of concern, or retraction in post-publication cases.

The journal follows due process in handling suspected plagiarism and may refer to recognized ethics guidance when evaluating serious cases.

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Author Responsibility

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their manuscripts are original and properly acknowledge all sources. Before submission, authors should:

• cite all relevant sources accurately;
• use quotation marks when reproducing exact wording;
• avoid excessive text recycling from their own prior publications;
• obtain permission where required for reused copyrighted material;
• check the manuscript carefully for possible similarity issues before submission.

Submission of a manuscript to this journal implies that the authors affirm the manuscript is original, has not been plagiarized, and does not infringe the rights of others.

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