Plagiarism Check

Plagiarism Screening Policy

Pro Food: Jurnal Ilmu dan Teknologi Pangan is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, originality, transparency, and ethical scholarly publishing. The journal implements a plagiarism screening policy to ensure that submitted manuscripts represent original scientific contributions and comply with internationally recognized publication ethics.

All manuscripts that pass the initial editorial screening are evaluated for textual similarity using Turnitin before proceeding to the journal's double-anonymized peer review process.

1. Definition and Scope of Plagiarism

Plagiarism refers to the use, reproduction, or presentation of another person's words, ideas, research findings, data, images, or intellectual contributions without appropriate acknowledgment or authorization.

Pro Food considers the following practices potential violations of academic integrity:

  • Direct Plagiarism: Reproducing another author's text or research material without proper quotation, citation, or acknowledgment.
  • Paraphrasing Plagiarism: Rewriting or modifying another author's ideas or statements without appropriately citing the original source.
  • Mosaic Plagiarism: Combining copied or closely paraphrased material from multiple sources without sufficient attribution.
  • Self-Plagiarism and Text Recycling: Reusing substantial portions of an author's previously published material without appropriate disclosure or citation.
  • Duplicate or Redundant Publication: Submitting or publishing substantially overlapping research findings without sufficient justification, transparency, or acknowledgment of related publications.
  • Translation Plagiarism: Translating previously published material from another language and presenting it as original work without proper attribution or authorization.
  • Unattributed Use of Research Materials: Reusing tables, figures, images, datasets, or other intellectual contributions without appropriate acknowledgment or permission where required.

The journal distinguishes plagiarism from legitimate quotation, properly attributed paraphrasing, conventional methodological descriptions, and acceptable text recycling. Each case is assessed according to the nature, extent, location, and context of the overlapping material.

2. Plagiarism Screening Procedure

Manuscripts submitted to Pro Food undergo the following screening procedures:

  1. Initial Editorial Assessment: The editor evaluates the manuscript's relevance to the journal's Focus and Scope, compliance with the Author Guidelines, scientific contribution, and basic editorial requirements.
  2. Similarity Screening: Manuscripts that pass the preliminary assessment are screened using Turnitin to identify textual similarities with available academic publications, online resources, and other indexed documents.
  3. Editorial Evaluation: The editor examines the Similarity Report, evaluates the identified sources and matched passages, and determines whether further clarification or revision is necessary.
  4. Editorial Action: Depending on the findings, the manuscript may proceed to peer review, be returned for revision or clarification, or be rejected when serious academic integrity concerns are substantiated.
  5. Peer Review: Manuscripts that satisfy the screening requirements proceed to the journal's double-anonymized peer review process for independent scientific evaluation.

Additional similarity screening may be conducted following substantial manuscript revisions or when new concerns arise during editorial assessment, peer review, or publication preparation.

3. Similarity Index Threshold

Pro Food applies a preliminary similarity index threshold of 15% or lower as part of its manuscript screening procedure.

The threshold serves as an editorial screening criterion and must not be interpreted as a definitive measurement of plagiarism or scientific originality.

The editorial team considers the following factors when interpreting the Similarity Report:

  • The overall percentage of textual similarity.
  • The proportion of text matching individual sources.
  • The location and significance of the matched passages.
  • The presence of appropriate citations and quotations.
  • The nature of the material, including standard terminology and methodological descriptions.
  • The extent of overlap with the authors' previously published work.
  • The possibility of duplicate publication or inappropriate reuse of research findings.

Bibliographies, properly quoted material, and other legitimate matches may be considered during editorial interpretation. Any exclusions applied to the Similarity Report must be reviewed carefully and should not conceal substantive unattributed overlap.

A similarity score of 15% or lower does not guarantee that a manuscript is free from plagiarism. Likewise, a similarity score exceeding 15% does not automatically establish plagiarism.

Manuscripts exceeding the screening threshold will be assessed by the editorial team and may be returned to the authors for clarification or revision. Manuscripts containing substantial unattributed overlap may be rejected regardless of their overall similarity percentage.

The journal recognizes that the Turnitin Similarity Report identifies matching text but does not independently determine whether plagiarism has occurred.

4. Author Responsibilities

Authors submitting manuscripts to Pro Food are responsible for ensuring the originality, accuracy, authenticity, and ethical integrity of their research.

Authors must:

  • Submit original scholarly work that has not been published previously as substantially the same research article.
  • Ensure that the manuscript is not simultaneously under consideration by another journal.
  • Properly cite all sources of information, concepts, methodologies, data, and research findings obtained from other works.
  • Clearly identify direct quotations and provide appropriate bibliographic references.
  • Disclose related manuscripts, previous publications, and any substantial overlap with earlier research.
  • Obtain appropriate permissions when reproducing copyrighted material, where required.
  • Avoid fabricated, falsified, manipulated, or misleading research findings.
  • Provide clarifications, supporting documents, or revised manuscripts when requested by the editorial team.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that the use of language-editing tools, artificial intelligence applications, or other writing assistance does not result in plagiarism, fabricated citations, misrepresentation of sources, or undisclosed intellectual contributions.

Any previous dissemination of the research, including preprints, conference proceedings, or related publications, must be disclosed to the editorial team and will be assessed according to the journal's applicable publication policies.

5. Handling Suspected Plagiarism Before Publication

When potential plagiarism, substantial textual overlap, or redundant publication is identified during manuscript evaluation, the editorial team conducts an appropriate assessment before determining the necessary action.

The assessment may include:

  1. Examining the Similarity Report and the original sources of the matched material.
  2. Evaluating the extent and significance of the suspected overlap.
  3. Requesting clarification, supporting evidence, or an explanation from the corresponding author.
  4. Considering the authors' response and any relevant documentation.
  5. Consulting additional editorial expertise where necessary.
  6. Determining an appropriate editorial outcome based on the available evidence.

Possible editorial outcomes include:

  • No Further Action: When the identified similarities are legitimate, appropriately acknowledged, or otherwise acceptable.
  • Revision Required: When the manuscript contains correctable citation problems, inadequate paraphrasing, or other limited textual overlap.
  • Manuscript Rejection: When substantial plagiarism, unjustified duplicate publication, or serious violations of publication ethics are established.
  • Further Investigation: When concerns require additional documentation, institutional clarification, or expert assessment.

Authors are given an appropriate opportunity to respond to substantive allegations before the editorial team reaches a conclusion, except where immediate administrative action is necessary to protect the integrity of the editorial process.

Cases of suspected plagiarism in submitted manuscripts are handled with reference to the COPE guidance on plagiarism in submitted manuscripts.

6. Text Recycling and Duplicate Publication

Pro Food recognizes that limited textual similarity may occur in scientific writing, particularly in descriptions of established laboratory methods, analytical procedures, and conventional research terminology.

However, authors must not present previously published research findings, datasets, or substantial portions of earlier publications as new scientific contributions without appropriate disclosure and justification.

Cases involving text recycling are evaluated individually, considering:

  • The amount and location of repeated material.
  • Whether the original publication has been properly cited.
  • Whether the repeated material affects the originality of the research contribution.
  • Whether the manuscript presents genuinely new findings.
  • Whether copyright or licensing requirements are satisfied.

The editorial team refers to the COPE Text Recycling Guidelines when evaluating substantial overlap with an author's previous publications.

7. Plagiarism Allegations After Publication

Pro Food is committed to maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the published scholarly record. Allegations of plagiarism or duplicate publication received after an article has been published will be assessed by the editorial team.

When credible concerns arise, the journal may:

  1. Review the published article and the allegedly duplicated sources.
  2. Request explanations and supporting evidence from the authors.
  3. Consult independent experts or relevant institutions when necessary.
  4. Determine whether the concern affects attribution, the reliability of the research, or the integrity of the publication.
  5. Take appropriate corrective action based on the findings.

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

  • Correction: When an error or omission can be corrected without undermining the reliability of the article.
  • Expression of Concern: When credible and significant concerns remain unresolved and readers should be informed while further assessment continues.
  • Retraction: When serious ethical violations, substantial plagiarism, duplicate publication, or unreliable findings make it necessary to correct the scholarly record.

Retraction decisions are made to preserve the integrity of the scientific literature rather than to punish authors.

When an article is retracted, the journal will provide a clearly identified, publicly accessible notice linked to the original publication and explain the reason for the retraction, subject to appropriate legal and confidentiality considerations.

Post-publication concerns are assessed with reference to the COPE guidance on plagiarism in published articles and the COPE Retraction Guidelines (2025).

8. Research Integrity and Related Misconduct

In addition to plagiarism screening, Pro Food does not tolerate practices that compromise the integrity of scientific research and publication, including:

  • Fabrication or falsification of research data.
  • Inappropriate manipulation of research images or results.
  • Misrepresentation of authorship or institutional affiliation.
  • Unauthorized use of copyrighted or confidential materials.
  • Deliberately misleading citations or references.
  • Manipulation of the peer review or editorial process.
  • Defamatory or otherwise unlawful content.

These concerns are addressed through editorial assessment, research integrity procedures, and applicable publication ethics policies.

Turnitin is a text similarity screening tool and is not, by itself, a method for detecting or proving data fabrication, data falsification, copyright infringement, or other forms of research misconduct.

9. Confidentiality and Editorial Independence

All plagiarism screening reports, unpublished manuscripts, author explanations, and related investigation records are handled confidentially by authorized editorial personnel.

Editorial decisions are based on documented evidence, scientific integrity, applicable journal policies, and fair consideration of the circumstances.

Editors must disclose relevant conflicts of interest and must not participate in evaluating allegations where their impartiality may reasonably be questioned.

The journal seeks to maintain appropriate records of similarity screening, editorial communications, decisions, and related integrity assessments through its editorial management procedures.

10. Commitment to Publication Ethics

Pro Food is committed to promoting responsible research publication, proper scholarly attribution, and continuous improvement in editorial quality.

The journal's plagiarism screening procedures are informed by recognized international publication ethics principles, particularly those developed by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

This policy should be read in conjunction with the journal's Author Guidelines, Peer Review Process, and other applicable editorial and publication ethics policies.

References and Ethical Guidelines

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding plagiarism screening, originality requirements, or suspected publication misconduct, please contact:

Editorial Office
Pro Food: Jurnal Ilmu dan Teknologi Pangan
Faculty of Food Technology and Agroindustry
University of Mataram, Indonesia
Jl. Majapahit No. 62, Mataram,
West Nusa Tenggara 83115, Indonesia
Email: redaksi.profood@unram.ac.id