Journal of Applied Health Sciences (JAHS)

The Journal of Applied Health Sciences (JAHS) enforces a strict policy to protect originality, uphold intellectual integrity, and promote responsible scholarly conduct. All manuscripts submitted to JAHS undergo thorough plagiarism checks using iThenticate.

This policy outlines the procedures, thresholds, responsibilities, and consequences for plagiarism and originality checks.

  1. Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as the presentation of another person’s ideas, words, data, images, or intellectual output as one’s own without proper acknowledgment.

JAHS recognizes the following forms of plagiarism:

1.1 Verbatim plagiarism

Copying text word-for-word without quotation marks and/or citation.

1.2 Mosaic or patchwork plagiarism

Rewriting or rearranging existing sentences, paragraphs, or ideas without proper citation.

1.3 Self-plagiarism (text recycling)

Reusing significant parts of one’s own previously published work without citation or permission.

1.4 Redundant/duplicate publication

Submitting the same or substantially similar manuscript to multiple journals.

1.5 Data plagiarism

Using datasets, tables, figures, images, or graphs from other sources without attribution or permission.

1.6 Idea plagiarism

Using original concepts, methodologies, or interpretations from another author without citing the source.

1.7 AI-assisted plagiarism

Using generative AI tools to paraphrase existing work to evade similarity detection.

JAHS considers all forms of plagiarism a serious ethical violation.

  1. iThenticate Similarity Screening Process

JAHS uses iThenticate (Turnitin) for all manuscripts, both pre-review and post-revision, to ensure originality throughout the editorial process.

2.1 When is iThenticate used?

iThenticate screening occurs at:

  1. Initial submission (before assignment to reviewers)
  2. Revised submission (after authors update their manuscript)
  3. Final acceptance (to confirm compliance)

2.2 What is screened?

The following components are checked:

  • Full manuscript text
  • Abstract and Conclusion
  • Figures, tables, and captions
  • Appendices
  • Supplementary files
  • Ethical statements
  • Acknowledgments

Reference lists are excluded from similarity scoring.

  1. Similarity Thresholds and Interpretation

JAHS does not rely on a single numerical percentage. Instead, editors follow qualitative evaluation based on COPE and Scopus guidance.

3.1 General guideline thresholds

  • 0–15% overall similarity → Typically acceptable, pending qualitative assessment.
  • 16–25% → Requires editorial review; may be returned for revision.
  • >25% → Possible major overlap; authors must submit explanation or rewrite text.
  • >40% → Very high similarity; typically results in rejection.

3.2 Red flags

JAHS pays special attention to:

  • Large blocks of identical text
  • Similarity with unreferenced sources
  • Overlap with the authors’ previous work (self-plagiarism)
  • Overlap in Methods sections that goes beyond standard phrasing
  • Suspicious paraphrasing identified by iThenticate’s “unusual phrases” detection
  • Overlap with thesis repositories and conference proceedings

Even isolated overlaps of 1–2 sentences may be unacceptable if deliberately unattributed.

  1. What Is NOT Considered Plagiarism
  • Standard phrases in methodology sections (e.g., statistical terminology)
  • Properly quoted and cited text (with quotation marks)
  • Common knowledge in the field
  • Overlap in titles of variables, scales, or clinical descriptors
  • Reuse of small sentences that are unavoidable in technical writing

JAHS applies a contextual judgment approach rather than purely numerical criteria.

  1. Author Responsibilities

Authors submitting to JAHS must:

5.1 Ensure originality

Manuscripts must be entirely original and not previously published elsewhere.

5.2 Properly cite sources

All ideas, data, figures, and quoted text must be appropriately cited.

5.3 Avoid excessive reuse of previous work

If authors reuse text from published work, they must:

  • Cite the source
  • Limit use to essential background
  • Avoid recycling large blocks of text
  • Rewrite in new words wherever possible

5.4 Provide necessary permissions

Authors must secure permission for:

  • Reproduction of previously published figures
  • Images or tables not under an open license
  • Patient photographs (with consent)

5.5 Disclose AI use

Any AI-assisted rewriting or paraphrasing must be disclosed to avoid hidden AI-generated plagiarism.

  1. Editorial Responsibilities

Editors are responsible for:

6.1 Reviewing iThenticate reports

Evaluating:

  • Overlap patterns
  • Source origins (e.g., previously published articles, university repositories)
  • Quality and context of matched text

6.2 Communicating concerns

If issues arise, editors will contact authors for clarification.

6.3 Requesting additional revisions

Authors may be required to:

  • Rewrite sections
  • Provide explanations for overlap
  • Supply original data
  • Document permissions

6.4 Following COPE guidance for escalation

When similarities suggest misconduct:

  • Editors may reject the manuscript
  • Notify author institutions
  • Initiate formal investigation
  • Retract published articles if necessary
  1. Consequences of Plagiarism

Depending on severity:

7.1 Minor overlap

  • Request to revise
  • Add missing citations
  • Correct paraphrasing

7.2 Moderate overlap

  • Manuscript returned to authors for substantial rewriting
  • Delayed review until issues are resolved
  • Editorial warning issued

7.3 Major plagiarism or unethical reuse

  • Immediate rejection
  • Ban on submission for a defined period (12–36 months)
  • Notification to the author’s institution or funders
  • Withdrawal of accepted manuscript
  • Retraction of published article

JAHS reserves the right to follow COPE misconduct procedures.

  1. Plagiarism Post-Publication

If plagiarism is discovered after publication:

  • A Correction (Corrigendum) may be issued for minor overlaps
  • For serious plagiarism, JAHS will publish a Retraction
  • An Expression of Concern may be issued during investigation
  • The retracted article will remain accessible but watermarked as RETRACTED

All amendments will be indexed in CrossRef, Scopus, Google Scholar, Hrčak, and other services.

  1. Fragmented Plagiarism and Advanced Concerns

JAHS specifically screens for:

9.1 Patchwork plagiarism

Small but repeated copied sentences across sections.

9.2 AI-generated paraphrasing

Rewriting existing articles using AI to conceal copying.

9.3 Figure plagiarism

Using:

  • Clinical images
  • Histology slides
  • Charts or graphs
  • MRI/X-ray images

…without proper permission or attribution.

9.4 Thesis-to-article uncredited overlap

Using published or institutional theses without attribution.

  1. Version Control and Transparency

JAHS ensures:

  • All plagiarism checks are logged internally
  • iThenticate reports may be shared with authors upon request
  • Metadata in DOI records will reflect corrections or retractions
  • Transparency is maintained in accordance with COPE standards