Plagiarism Policy

Journal of Dental Sciences and Education (JDSE) and MediHealth Academy are committed to maintaining the originality, integrity, and reliability of the scientific record.

All manuscripts submitted to JDSE must represent original work and must comply with recognized standards of research and publication ethics.

JDSE may use similarity-detection software, including iThenticate or equivalent systems, during the editorial process. Similarity reports are used as screening tools and are interpreted by the Editorial Board in context. A similarity percentage alone does not determine whether plagiarism or publication misconduct has occurred.

1. Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the use of another person's words, ideas, data, images, methods, or other intellectual contributions without appropriate acknowledgment or attribution.

Plagiarism may include, but is not limited to:

• Direct copying of text without proper citation;
• Paraphrasing another source without appropriate attribution;
• Mosaic plagiarism or patchwriting;
• Presenting another person's ideas or interpretations as one's own;
• Reproducing tables, figures, images, or other material without appropriate attribution or permission where required;
• Using unpublished material obtained through confidential review, correspondence, or other privileged communication without authorization.

Plagiarism may occur regardless of whether the source is published or unpublished, printed or electronic.

2. Self-Plagiarism and Text Recycling

Authors should avoid substantial reuse of their own previously published text without appropriate disclosure and citation.

Limited repetition of standard methodological descriptions may sometimes be unavoidable. Such reuse should remain proportionate, transparent, and consistent with accepted publication practices.

Substantial duplication of previously published text, results, discussion, or conclusions without appropriate citation or justification may constitute inappropriate text recycling or self-plagiarism.

Authors must disclose relevant previous publications and provide copies when requested by the Journal.

3. Duplicate Publication

Duplicate publication occurs when substantially the same article, data, analysis, or conclusions are published, or submitted for publication, more than once without appropriate disclosure, justification, and cross-reference.

Manuscripts submitted to JDSE must not be simultaneously under consideration by another journal.

Publication of substantially overlapping work in another language, journal, or format does not automatically make the work acceptable for republication.

Secondary publication may be considered only when it is scientifically and ethically justified, transparently disclosed, appropriately referenced, and consistent with applicable editorial standards.

4. Redundant Publication

Redundant publication occurs when authors publish substantially overlapping data or findings in multiple articles without sufficient justification or transparent cross-referencing.

Authors must disclose related manuscripts, publications, abstracts, conference proceedings, preprints, or other outputs that may overlap with the submitted work.

When overlap exists, the relationship between the submitted manuscript and previously disseminated material must be clearly explained.

5. Salami Slicing

Salami slicing refers to the inappropriate division of a single study, dataset, or research project into multiple publications when the findings could reasonably be presented together.

Publishing distinct analyses from the same dataset may be acceptable when each manuscript addresses a clearly different research question and the relationship between the publications is transparently disclosed.

Authors must cite related publications arising from the same dataset or study population and explain any overlap when requested.

6. Data Fabrication and Falsification

Fabrication and falsification are serious forms of research misconduct.

Fabrication includes making up data, participants, observations, results, or other research information that did not exist.

Falsification includes manipulating research materials, equipment, processes, data, images, analyses, or results so that the research record does not accurately represent the work performed.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that all data presented in the manuscript are accurate, authentic, and verifiable.

JDSE may request original data, laboratory records, analysis files, images, protocols, ethics documentation, or other supporting materials when concerns arise.

7. Image Manipulation

Images must accurately represent the original data.

Authors must not selectively enhance, obscure, move, remove, introduce, or alter specific features within an image in a manner that could affect scientific interpretation.

Adjustments involving brightness, contrast, or color balance may be acceptable when applied consistently to the entire image and when they do not obscure, eliminate, or misrepresent information.

Splicing, combining, or rearranging images must be clearly indicated and scientifically justified.

The Journal may request original, unprocessed image files for editorial evaluation.

8. Citation Manipulation

Citation practices must be based on scientific relevance.

Authors, reviewers, and editors must not request or include citations primarily for the purpose of artificially increasing citation counts, journal metrics, author metrics, or citations to particular individuals or publications.

Requests for additional citations must be scientifically justified and relevant to the manuscript.

9. Similarity Screening

Manuscripts may be screened using similarity-detection software at submission, during revision, before acceptance, or whenever concerns arise.

JDSE does not apply a single automatic similarity-percentage threshold for rejection.

Similarity reports are evaluated by editors in context, taking into account:

• The source and nature of the overlap;
• Whether the overlapping material is appropriately cited;
• Whether the similarity occurs in standard methodological language or substantive scientific content;
• The extent and location of the overlap;
• Whether previously published data or conclusions have been reused; and
• Whether the overlap affects the originality or integrity of the manuscript.

A low similarity score does not necessarily exclude plagiarism, and a high similarity score does not necessarily establish misconduct.

10. Suspected Misconduct Before Publication

When plagiarism, duplicate publication, data manipulation, fabrication, falsification, citation manipulation, or other research misconduct is suspected before publication, the Editorial Board may:

• Request an explanation from the authors;
• Request original data or supporting documentation;
• Suspend editorial evaluation while the matter is investigated;
• Consult independent experts;
• Contact relevant institutions or research integrity offices when appropriate; or
• Reject the manuscript when serious concerns are substantiated.

Authors will normally be given an opportunity to respond to allegations before a final decision is made.

11. Misconduct Identified After Publication

If substantial plagiarism, duplicate publication, fabricated or falsified data, inappropriate image manipulation, or other serious misconduct is identified after publication, JDSE may take appropriate post-publication action.

Depending on the nature and severity of the issue, actions may include:

• Publication of a Correction;
• Publication of an Expression of Concern;
• Retraction of the article;
• Notification of relevant institutions or research integrity bodies; or
• Other actions necessary to protect the integrity of the scientific record.

Such actions will be taken in accordance with JDSE's Corrections, Retractions and Expressions of Concern Policy and applicable publication ethics guidance.

12. Institutional Notification

Where there is credible evidence of serious research or publication misconduct, JDSE may refer the matter to the relevant author's institution, research integrity office, funding body, ethics committee, or other appropriate authority.

The Journal does not consider itself a substitute for institutional or legal investigations but will cooperate with legitimate investigations where appropriate.

13. Author Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for ensuring that:

• The submitted work is original;
• All sources are appropriately acknowledged;
• Relevant overlapping publications are disclosed;
• Data and images accurately represent the research performed;
• Related submissions or publications are transparently identified; and
• All authors are aware of and approve the content submitted to JDSE.

Concerns regarding plagiarism, duplicate publication, or other forms of research misconduct may be reported to the JDSE Editorial Office at:

[email protected]