PLAGIARISM POLICY

1. Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the use of another person’s words, ideas, arguments, data, interpretations, images, tables, figures, or other intellectual work without proper acknowledgment. Plagiarism includes copying, paraphrasing, translating, summarizing, or adapting material from any source without appropriate citation.

SEJATI considers plagiarism a serious violation of publication ethics. All manuscripts submitted to the journal must be original, properly cited, and academically honest.

2. Similarity Limit

SEJATI applies a maximum similarity limit of 20% for submitted manuscripts. This similarity limit applies to the core content of the manuscript and does not include the reference list or bibliography.

A similarity percentage below 20% does not automatically guarantee acceptance, because the editorial team will also evaluate the quality, source, context, and ethical nature of the similarity. Likewise, similarity above 20% may require correction, revision, clarification, or rejection depending on the nature and severity of the overlap.

3. Core Manuscript Content

For the purpose of similarity checking, the core manuscript content generally includes:

1. Title;
2. Abstract;
3. Keywords;
4. Introduction;
5. Literature review;
6. Research method or analytical approach;
7. Results and discussion;
8. Theological, biblical, historical, contextual, or practical analysis;
9. Conclusion;
10. Notes, footnotes, or endnotes where applicable.

The reference list or bibliography is excluded from the similarity percentage limit. However, references must still be accurate, relevant, complete, and formatted according to the journal’s author guidelines.

4. Plagiarism Screening Process

All manuscripts submitted to SEJATI may undergo plagiarism and similarity screening before being sent to peer reviewers. The editorial team may use plagiarism-detection software, search engines, manual checking, reviewer reports, or other appropriate methods to identify possible plagiarism or unethical text reuse.

The plagiarism screening process may include:

1. Initial similarity check by the editorial team;
2. Review of the similarity report;
3. Exclusion of reference list or bibliography from the similarity calculation;
4. Evaluation of direct quotations, paraphrases, and cited sources;
5. Identification of possible plagiarism, self-plagiarism, duplicate publication, or inappropriate text recycling;
6. Editorial decision regarding whether the manuscript may proceed to peer review, requires revision, or must be rejected.

5. Forms of Plagiarism and Unethical Text Reuse

SEJATI recognizes several forms of plagiarism and unethical text reuse, including but not limited to:

1. Direct plagiarism: copying text from another source without quotation marks and proper citation;
2. Paraphrasing plagiarism: rewriting another person’s ideas or arguments without proper acknowledgment;
3. Mosaic plagiarism: combining phrases, sentences, or paragraphs from several sources without proper citation;
4. Self-plagiarism: reusing substantial parts of the author’s own previously published work without proper citation;
5. Duplicate publication: submitting or publishing the same or substantially similar manuscript in more than one journal;
6. Improper translation: translating material from another language without proper acknowledgment;
7. Source misrepresentation: citing a source inaccurately or claiming support from a source that does not contain the cited idea;
8. Fabricated references: listing non-existent, inaccurate, or unverifiable references;
9. AI-generated plagiarism: submitting AI-generated or AI-assisted content that reproduces, paraphrases, or fabricates material without verification, disclosure, or proper citation.

6. Similarity Evaluation Categories

SEJATI uses the following categories as general guidance in evaluating similarity reports:

The similarity percentage is not the only basis for editorial decisions. Editors will evaluate the similarity report together with manuscript quality, citation accuracy, originality, ethical compliance, and the nature of the overlapping text.

7. Editorial Actions for Plagiarism

If plagiarism, excessive similarity, or unethical text reuse is identified, SEJATI may take one or more of the following actions:

1. Return the manuscript to the author for correction before peer review;
2. Request revision, proper citation, paraphrasing, or quotation correction;
3. Request an explanation from the author;
4. Reject the manuscript before peer review;
5. Reject the manuscript after peer review if ethical concerns remain unresolved;
6. Reject future submissions from authors involved in serious ethical violations;
7. Notify the author’s institution or relevant parties in serious cases;
8. Issue a correction, expression of concern, or retraction if plagiarism is discovered after publication.

8. Author Responsibilities

Authors are fully responsible for the originality, accuracy, and integrity of their manuscripts. Before submission, authors should ensure that:

1. The manuscript is original and has not been published elsewhere;
2. The manuscript is not under consideration by another journal;
3. All sources are properly cited;
4. Direct quotations are clearly marked and referenced;
5. Paraphrased ideas are properly acknowledged;
6. The manuscript does not contain plagiarism, self-plagiarism, or duplicate publication;
7. The similarity level of the core manuscript content does not exceed 20%;
8. The reference list is accurate and complete;
9. Any use of AI-assisted tools is properly disclosed according to the journal’s AI policy.

9. Use of Artificial Intelligence and Plagiarism

Authors may use AI-assisted tools only for limited technical purposes, such as grammar checking, language improvement, or formatting assistance. Authors must not use AI tools to generate substantial scholarly content without verification, disclosure, and full author responsibility.

AI-generated content may raise ethical concerns when it contains fabricated references, inaccurate citations, false quotations, generic unsupported claims, or unattributed reproduction of existing material. Authors are responsible for checking and verifying all AI-assisted content before submission.

The use of AI tools does not remove the author’s responsibility for plagiarism, citation accuracy, originality, and research integrity.

10. Plagiarism Detected After Publication

If plagiarism or serious ethical violation is discovered after publication, SEJATI may conduct an investigation and take appropriate action. Depending on the severity of the case, the journal may issue:

1. A correction;
2. A clarification;
3. An expression of concern;
4. A retraction;
5. Notification to relevant institutions or parties where appropriate.

Retraction may be applied when the published article contains serious plagiarism, duplicate publication, fabricated sources, or other major violations that compromise the integrity of the scholarly record.

11. Final Statement

SEJATI is committed to promoting originality, proper citation, responsible authorship, and ethical theological scholarship. This Plagiarism Policy is intended to protect authors, readers, reviewers, editors, and the integrity of the scholarly record.