Plagiarism Policy

The International Journal of Social Dynamics (IJSD) maintains a strict stance of zero tolerance toward plagiarism and the inappropriate reuse of published material.

Screening Process
To identify potential text overlap between a submitted manuscript and existing scholarly literature, the IJSD utilizes Turnitin software. Our Editorial Office will occasionally provide a similarity report to the corresponding author to facilitate assessment of any concerning reuse of phrasing or content.

Interpreting the Similarity Report
The Turnitin report generates an overall percentage of reuse. This figure is primarily an indicator, and authors should exercise caution when interpreting it. A high percentage does not automatically denote unacceptable misconduct but suggests the need for a closer inspection for potential plagiarism or redundancy.

The IJSD, aligning with the policies of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan regarding Originality Reports, aims for original manuscripts to register a Turnitin Originality Report score of 19% or less with single Source not exceeding 5%. Aslo, as per HEC Policy, AI% should not exceed 5%.

When reviewing the report, authors and editors should carefully evaluate the nature and context of the overlaps:
●    Nature of the Overlap: Is the similarity fragmented, or does it involve copying complete sentences and blocks of paragraphs from prior works?
●    Location of the Overlap: Duplication of common background information in the introduction or standard descriptions of methods is typically less critical than duplication found within the discussion or core conclusions.
●    Data Duplication: The reuse of specific data without explicit and proper citation is almost universally deemed unacceptable.
●    Citation Status: Was the original source of the overlapping text correctly cited and adequately discussed within the current manuscript?
●    Self-Plagiarism/Redundancy: If the source material was written by one or more of the same authors, the primary concern shifts from plagiarism to potential copyright infringement or redundant publication. Some limited overlap may be permitted (e.g., with the authors’ own preprint or thesis) provided those sources are clearly acknowledged.
●    Software Accuracy: Assess whether the Turnitin software may have miscalculated the score, perhaps by flagging large sections properly enclosed within quotation marks or by including similarities within the references list.

Addressing Concerns 
If an editor determines that the level of similarity warrants attention, the authors may be requested to revise specific sections of the manuscript and supply any missing references before the paper is sent for formal peer review. Conversely, if the manuscript is judged to be excessively plagiarized, it may be subject to immediate rejection without further consideration.