Plagiarism Policy
Open Veterinary Journal (OVJ) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, originality, and responsible scholarly communication. Plagiarism and other forms of inappropriate reuse of published or unpublished material undermine the integrity of the scientific record and are considered serious ethical concerns.
OVJ requires authors to submit original work and to appropriately acknowledge the ideas, words, data, figures, tables, and other intellectual contributions of others. The journal investigates suspected plagiarism and related forms of inappropriate content reuse in accordance with its Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Policy and, where applicable, the principles and guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
1. Definition of Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presentation of another person's work, ideas, words, data, or intellectual contributions as one's own without appropriate attribution.
Plagiarism may occur intentionally or unintentionally. Authors are responsible for ensuring that all submitted material is appropriately cited and that any reused material is transparently identified.
OVJ recognizes, among others, the following forms of inappropriate content reuse:
1.1 Direct Plagiarism
Copying or reproducing words, sentences, paragraphs, data, ideas, or other material from another source without appropriate quotation, attribution, and citation.
1.2 Mosaic or Patchwork Plagiarism
Combining words, phrases, or passages taken from one or more sources, with or without minor modifications, without adequate acknowledgment.
1.3 Paraphrasing Plagiarism
Substantially reproducing another author's ideas, structure, or wording through superficial paraphrasing or changes in wording without appropriate citation.
1.4 Self-Plagiarism and Redundant Text Reuse
Reusing substantial portions of one's own previously published text, data, figures, tables, or other material without appropriate citation, disclosure, or justification.
Reuse of limited standard methodological language may sometimes be unavoidable and does not automatically constitute misconduct. The editorial assessment will consider the amount, location, purpose, and significance of the reused material.
1.5 Translation Plagiarism
Translating previously published or unpublished material into another language and presenting it as original work without appropriate attribution and disclosure.
1.6 Unauthorized Reuse of Copyrighted Material
Using figures, tables, photographs, illustrations, substantial text, or other copyrighted material without appropriate attribution and, where required, permission from the copyright holder.
Unauthorized reuse of copyrighted material may constitute a copyright concern even when it does not meet the definition of plagiarism.
2. Similarity Screening
All manuscripts submitted to OVJ undergo screening for textual similarity and originality using iThenticate.
Similarity screening may be conducted:
during the initial editorial assessment;
before peer review;
during revision;
before acceptance or publication; or
after publication when concerns are raised.
The purpose of similarity screening is to identify passages that require editorial assessment. A similarity score alone does not establish plagiarism.
Editors consider the context and source of the matched material, including:
the amount and location of overlapping text;
whether the source is appropriately cited;
whether the overlap occurs in standard methodological or technical language;
whether the material has been previously published by the authors;
whether substantial ideas, results, data, figures, or conclusions have been reused; and
whether the overlap indicates plagiarism, redundant publication, legitimate reuse, or another acceptable form of scholarly communication.
The final editorial determination is therefore based on human assessment and, where appropriate, consultation with reviewers, editors, or relevant institutions.
3. Authors' Responsibilities
Authors submitting manuscripts to OVJ are responsible for ensuring that:
the manuscript represents original work;
all sources of information, ideas, data, and wording are appropriately cited;
direct quotations are clearly identified and properly attributed;
paraphrased material is genuinely paraphrased and appropriately cited;
previously published work by the authors is appropriately cited and disclosed;
reused figures, tables, images, or other copyrighted material are properly attributed and used in accordance with applicable copyright requirements;
substantial overlap with previous publications is disclosed to the journal at submission;
manuscripts are not simultaneously submitted to another journal;
previously published or submitted material that is incorporated into the manuscript is clearly identified; and
any concerns raised by the editorial office regarding originality or content reuse are addressed honestly and promptly.
Authors should not assume that changing a small number of words or rearranging sentences makes copied material original.
4. Plagiarism Detected Before Peer Review
When substantial or inappropriate plagiarism is identified during the initial editorial assessment, the manuscript may be rejected without external peer review.
For minor or limited instances of inappropriate text reuse, the editor may, depending on the circumstances:
request clarification from the authors;
return the manuscript for correction and appropriate citation;
request rewriting of the affected sections; or
proceed with peer review after the concern has been satisfactorily addressed.
The editorial response will depend on the severity, extent, location, and apparent intent of the inappropriate reuse.
5. Plagiarism Detected During Peer Review
If plagiarism or substantial inappropriate content reuse is identified during peer review, the manuscript may be returned to the authors for clarification or correction, rejected, or subjected to further investigation.
Reviewers are expected to alert the editor if they identify suspected plagiarism, duplicate publication, inappropriate reuse of material, or other concerns regarding originality. Reviewers should not directly accuse authors of misconduct or communicate allegations to third parties.
6. Plagiarism or Redundant Publication Detected After Acceptance
If substantial plagiarism or inappropriate content reuse is identified after acceptance but before publication, OVJ may:
suspend publication;
request an explanation from the authors;
require correction of the manuscript;
reject the manuscript; or
initiate a formal investigation where appropriate.
Acceptance of a manuscript does not prevent OVJ from taking action when new ethical concerns arise before publication.
7. Plagiarism Detected After Publication
If plagiarism is identified after publication, OVJ will assess the concern and determine the appropriate response based on its severity and effect on the integrity of the published record.
Possible actions include:
publication of a correction or clarification;
publication of an Expression of Concern;
retraction of the article; or
notification of the authors' institution or other relevant organizations when appropriate.
Retraction or other post-publication action will be handled in accordance with the journal's Correction, Retraction, and Expression of Concern Policy and applicable COPE guidance.
The purpose of post-publication action is to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record.
8. Duplicate and Redundant Publication
Plagiarism screening also helps identify duplicate or redundant publication.
Authors must not submit or publish substantially the same manuscript, data, or results in more than one journal without appropriate disclosure and editorial authorization.
Where related publications exist, authors must disclose them to OVJ and clearly explain their relationship to the submitted manuscript.
Duplicate or redundant publication may constitute an ethical violation even when all of the material was originally produced by the same authors.
9. Preprints, Repositories, Theses, and Previously Disseminated Material
Publication of a manuscript as a preprint, repository deposit, thesis, dissertation, conference proceeding, or other legitimate form of prior dissemination does not automatically constitute plagiarism.
However, authors must:
disclose relevant prior dissemination at submission;
provide appropriate citation or acknowledgment where applicable;
clearly distinguish the submitted manuscript from previously disseminated versions;
disclose substantial overlap with previously disseminated material;
comply with the applicable copyright and licensing terms; and
avoid presenting previously published results as entirely new findings.
Where substantial text, data, figures, or other material is reused, the authors must provide sufficient information for the editors to evaluate the nature and extent of the reuse.
10. Use of Published Figures, Tables, Images, and Other Material
Authors must properly acknowledge material originating from other sources.
Where permission is required, authors are responsible for obtaining the necessary permission before publication and providing appropriate documentation to the journal.
The use of material under an applicable open license must comply with the terms of that license, including attribution and any other applicable requirements.
11. Investigation of Suspected Plagiarism
When a credible concern regarding plagiarism or inappropriate content reuse is identified, OVJ may contact the corresponding author and, where necessary, other authors to request an explanation and supporting documentation.
Depending on the circumstances, the journal may also:
review the manuscript and similarity-report findings;
examine the cited and source publications;
request original data or relevant documentation;
consult members of the editorial team or independent experts;
contact the authors' institution or other responsible organization; or
take appropriate editorial action.
Authors are expected to cooperate fully and provide accurate information during an investigation.
Where possible and appropriate, investigations will be handled confidentially.
12. Institutional Notification
For serious, extensive, repeated, or unresolved cases of suspected research misconduct, OVJ may notify the authors' affiliated institution, employer, funder, or other appropriate authority.
The journal does not make allegations of misconduct solely on the basis of an automated similarity score. Any institutional notification will be based on the circumstances and evidence available to the journal and will be handled in accordance with applicable ethical procedures.
13. Sanctions and Editorial Actions
Depending on the circumstances, OVJ may take one or more of the following actions:
request correction or rewriting;
reject a submitted manuscript;
discontinue consideration of a manuscript;
issue a post-publication correction or clarification;
publish an Expression of Concern;
retract a published article;
notify an appropriate institution, funder, or other authority; or
take other proportionate editorial measures consistent with publication-ethics guidance.
Any restriction on future submissions will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the seriousness and circumstances of the conduct.
14. Appeals and Complaints
Authors who believe that an editorial decision concerning plagiarism or inappropriate content reuse was based on an error may submit an appeal or provide additional relevant evidence.
Appeals will be considered by the Editor-in-Chief or another appropriately independent editor when the Editor-in-Chief has a conflict of interest.
The submission of an appeal does not guarantee reversal of the original decision.
15. Responsibilities of Editors and Reviewers
Editors are responsible for assessing suspected plagiarism fairly, consistently, and confidentially. Editors should not rely solely on automated similarity scores when making decisions.
Reviewers who identify possible plagiarism or inappropriate content reuse should confidentially notify the editor and provide relevant evidence or source information where available.
Reviewers must not use unpublished material from a submitted manuscript for their own research or personal advantage.
16. AI-Assisted Writing and Plagiarism
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tools does not exempt authors from responsibility for originality and proper attribution.
Authors remain fully responsible for the content of their manuscripts, including any text generated or modified using AI-assisted technologies.
AI tools must not be used to:
fabricate or falsify scientific information;
generate or manipulate research data;
create false references or citations;
conceal plagiarism or inappropriate content reuse; or
misrepresent another person's work as original.
Where disclosure of AI-assisted tools is required under OVJ's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, authors must provide the required disclosure.
17. Commitment to Academic Integrity
OVJ is committed to protecting the integrity, originality, and reliability of the scientific record. Plagiarism and other forms of inappropriate content reuse will be assessed seriously, fairly, and proportionately.
The journal recognizes that similarity between texts does not automatically constitute plagiarism and that legitimate overlap may occur in technical terminology, standard methodological descriptions, references, or other necessary scientific language. Editorial decisions therefore rely on contextual assessment rather than similarity percentages alone.
Authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher share responsibility for maintaining high standards of academic integrity and ethical scholarly communication.
