Plagiarism Policy

Introduction
The Ma-Hasal Journal is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and originality in its publications. Plagiarism, in any form, is a violation of ethical research and publishing practices and is strictly prohibited. This policy outlines the journal’s stance on plagiarism, the procedures for its detection, and the consequences for authors found in violation.

1. Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's ideas, words, or work without proper acknowledgment. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Direct Plagiarism: Copying text verbatim without citation.
  • Self-Plagiarism: Republishing one’s previously published work without proper disclosure.
  • Mosaic Plagiarism: Paraphrasing another’s work without proper acknowledgment.
  • Improper Citation: Failing to credit sources accurately or adequately.

2. Plagiarism Detection

  • Initial Screening:
    All submitted manuscripts undergo a plagiarism check using industry-standard plagiarism detection software (e.g., Turnitin, iThenticate) during the initial review stage.

  • Threshold Limit:
    The journal allows a similarity index of up to 15%, excluding properly cited references, tables, and figures. Similarity above this threshold will be investigated further by the editorial team.

3. Consequences of Plagiarism

The consequences of plagiarism are determined based on its severity:

Minor Plagiarism

  • Examples: Poor paraphrasing, incomplete citations, or minor overlaps.
  • Action:
    • The manuscript is returned to the author with a request for immediate correction.
    • The manuscript may proceed to peer review upon satisfactory revision.

Moderate Plagiarism

  • Examples: Significant copying of text or ideas without proper acknowledgment.
  • Action:
    • The manuscript is rejected, and the authors are informed.
    • Authors may be allowed to resubmit after significant revision and a written explanation.

Severe Plagiarism

  • Examples: Verbatim copying of large sections, plagiarizing multiple sources, or resubmitting someone else's work as one’s own.
  • Action:
    • Immediate rejection of the manuscript.
    • A formal notice is sent to the authors’ affiliated institution(s) or funding agency.
    • The authors are blacklisted from submitting to the Ma-Hasal Journal.

4. Retraction of Published Articles

If plagiarism is discovered after publication:

  • The editorial board will conduct a thorough investigation.
  • The article will be retracted, and a retraction notice will be published, explaining the reasons for the retraction.
  • Authors and their institutions will be notified of the violation.

5. Authors' Responsibilities

Authors are required to:

  • Ensure the originality of their work and appropriately cite all sources.
  • Avoid submitting manuscripts that have been previously published or are under review elsewhere.
  • Provide proper attribution for all contributions, including data, images, and figures.

6. Editorial Responsibilities

The editorial team is responsible for:

  • Screening all submissions for plagiarism during the initial review.
  • Investigating and addressing allegations of plagiarism in a fair and transparent manner.
  • Ensuring that all published content complies with the journal’s ethical standards.

7. Appeals Process

  • Authors accused of plagiarism may appeal the editorial decision by providing a written explanation and supporting evidence.
  • The editorial board will review the appeal and issue a final decision within 15 business days.

8. Policy Updates

The Plagiarism Policy is reviewed periodically to incorporate advancements in plagiarism detection and best practices in academic publishing. Updates are communicated to authors and reviewers through the journal’s website.

Conclusion
The Ma-Hasal Journal takes plagiarism seriously to protect the integrity of academic research and publishing. Authors are encouraged to adhere to ethical guidelines and use proper citation practices to avoid plagiarism. The journal remains committed to fostering a culture of originality, transparency, and accountability in scholarly publishing.