Plagiarism Policy

Emergent Life Sciences Research (ELSR) is committed to protecting the originality, integrity, and reliability of the scientific record.

Manuscripts submitted to ELSR must represent original scholarly work and should appropriately acknowledge the ideas, words, data, figures, tables, and other intellectual contributions of others.

ELSR does not tolerate plagiarism, inappropriate text reuse, duplicate publication, or other forms of unattributed use of previously published or unpublished material.

All authors are responsible for ensuring the originality of their submitted manuscripts and for providing accurate citations and appropriate disclosure where previously available material has been used.

 

1. Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the presentation of another person's words, ideas, data, methods, results, images, or other intellectual contributions without appropriate acknowledgement or attribution.

Plagiarism may involve published or unpublished material and may occur intentionally or through inadequate scholarly practice.

Examples may include:

• Copying text from another source without appropriate citation or acknowledgement.
• Presenting another person's ideas or interpretations as one's own.
• Reproducing substantial text with only minor changes in wording.
• Translating material from another language and presenting it without attribution.
• Using data, results, tables, figures, or images without appropriate acknowledgement or permission where required.
• Presenting unpublished material obtained through confidential review, collaboration, or other restricted access as one's own work.
• Inappropriate reuse of previously published material without disclosure.

The absence of quotation marks or a citation may be relevant when evaluating copied text, but the journal will consider the overall context, extent, and nature of the overlap.

 

2. Authors' Responsibility for Originality

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their manuscript is original and appropriately acknowledges all sources used in the preparation of the work.

Before submission, authors should ensure that:

• All directly quoted material is clearly identified and appropriately cited.
• Ideas, methods, data, and interpretations derived from other sources are acknowledged.
• Paraphrased material is expressed independently and accompanied by an appropriate citation.
• Previously published material is disclosed where relevant.
• Permissions have been obtained for copyrighted material where required.
• Figures, tables, and images have not been reused inappropriately.
• The manuscript does not substantially duplicate another submitted or published work.

The corresponding author should ensure that all authors are aware of the originality requirements of ELSR.

All authors share responsibility for the integrity of the submitted manuscript.

 

3. Text Similarity and Plagiarism

A text similarity score is not, by itself, a determination of plagiarism.

Similarity-detection software identifies matching or related text between documents. Such similarity may arise from:

• Correctly cited material.
• Standard scientific terminology.
• Commonly used methodological descriptions.
• Names of organizations, instruments, databases, or protocols.
• Reference lists.
• Previously disclosed preprints.
• Legitimate reuse of limited material.
• Inappropriate copying or unattributed text reuse.

For this reason, ELSR does not normally make editorial decisions solely on the basis of an overall similarity percentage.

Similarity reports are evaluated in context.

Editors may consider:

• The source of the matching text.
• The amount of overlap.
• The location of the overlap within the manuscript.
• Whether the source has been appropriately cited.
• Whether the wording has been copied directly.
• Whether the overlap affects the originality of the scientific contribution.
• Whether the overlap involves data, results, conclusions, figures, or other substantive content.
• Whether there is evidence of deliberate misrepresentation.

The scientific and publication context of the similarity is therefore more important than a single numerical score.

 

4. Similarity Screening

Manuscripts submitted to ELSR may be screened using plagiarism- or similarity-detection software (iThenticate) during editorial assessment.

Screening may occur:

• Before external peer review.
• During editorial evaluation.
• Following manuscript revision.
• Before final acceptance.
• After publication, when a concern is raised.

The Editorial Office or the responsible Editor may examine similarity reports and the relevant source material.

A manuscript may be returned to the authors for clarification or correction when substantial or inappropriate text overlaps are identified.

ELSR reserves the right to conduct additional screening when necessary.

 

5. Direct Copying of Text

Direct copying of substantial text from another source without appropriate acknowledgement is not acceptable.

Authors should not reproduce sentences, paragraphs, or substantial sections of another work and present them as original writing.

Minor changes to individual words, sentence order, or grammar do not necessarily make copied text original.

Where exact wording from a source is necessary, authors should use appropriate quotation and citation practices where suitable for scientific writing.

In most scientific manuscripts, authors are encouraged to explain information in their own words and cite the relevant source.

 

6. Inappropriate Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing requires more than replacing individual words or rearranging a sentence.

Inappropriate paraphrasing may occur when the structure, wording, or expression of a source is closely reproduced without adequate acknowledgement.

Authors should:

• Understand the original source.
• Express the scientific information independently.
• Cite the original source.
• Avoid closely following the sentence structure of the source.

A citation does not automatically make extensive copied or minimally modified text acceptable.

 

7. Plagiarism of Ideas

Plagiarism is not limited to copied text.

The use of another person's original idea, hypothesis, interpretation, conceptual framework, or unpublished scientific insight without appropriate acknowledgement may constitute plagiarism.

Authors should appropriately cite the source of scientific concepts and ideas that materially contribute to the development of their work.

Particular care should be taken when using information obtained through:

• Research collaborations.
• Conference discussions.
• Grant applications.
• Manuscript peer review.
• Private correspondence.
• Unpublished reports.
• Other confidential or restricted communications.

Confidential information should not be used without appropriate authorization.

 

8. Data Plagiarism

Authors must not present data generated by another researcher or research group as their own.

Data obtained from published articles, databases, repositories, collaborators, institutions, or other sources should be used in accordance with applicable permissions, licenses, and scholarly citation practices.

Where existing datasets are reused or reanalyzed, authors should clearly identify the data source and explain the nature of the new analysis or scientific contribution.

Misrepresentation of the origin or ownership of data may constitute research or publication misconduct.

Concerns involving fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data are addressed under the ELSR Publication Ethics Policy and ELSR Research Data Policy.

 

9. Figure, Table, and Image Plagiarism

Figures, tables, photographs, diagrams, illustrations, and other visual material should not be copied or reused without appropriate acknowledgement and permission where required.

Authors should clearly identify material that has been:

• Reproduced from another source.
• Adapted from previously published material.
• Modified from an existing figure or diagram.
• Created using data obtained from another source.

The original source should be appropriately cited.

Where copyright permission is required, authors are responsible for obtaining permission before publication.

Removal of labels, modification of colours, redrawing, cropping, or other visual changes do not automatically make previously published material original.

Concerns relating to scientific manipulation of images are handled under the ELSR Publication Ethics Policy.

 

10. Self-Plagiarism and Text Reuse

Authors should not present substantial portions of their own previously published material as new and original content without appropriate disclosure.

Inappropriate reuse of an author's own published material may include:

• Reusing substantial text without acknowledgement.
• Republishing the same results as new findings.
• Reusing tables or figures without disclosure.
• Reproducing substantial sections of a previous article.
• Dividing substantially similar findings into multiple publications without sufficient scientific justification.
• Failing to disclose closely related publications.

Limited text reuse may be acceptable in specific contexts where the wording is difficult to express differently, particularly for standard methodological descriptions.

Such reuse should not misrepresent the novelty of the manuscript.

Editors will consider the extent, location, purpose, and scientific significance of reused material.

 

11. Duplicate and Redundant Publication

Authors must not submit or publish substantially the same work as separate original publications without appropriate justification and disclosure.

Duplicate or redundant publication may involve:

• Publication of substantially the same manuscript in more than one journal.
• Repeated publication of the same dataset and conclusions.
• Submission of substantially overlapping manuscripts without disclosure.
• Translation and republication of previously published work without appropriate disclosure and editorial agreement.
• Repackaging previously published findings as new research.

Authors should disclose closely related manuscripts, publications, or preprints during submission where they may be relevant to the editorial evaluation.

The Editorial Office may request copies of related work.

 

12. Preprints and Previously Disseminated Work

Posting a manuscript on a recognized non-commercial preprint server does not, by itself, constitute plagiarism or duplicate publication under the ELSR policy.

Authors should disclose the existence of a preprint during manuscript submission.

The submitted manuscript should not be simultaneously under consideration by another journal.

After publication in ELSR, authors are encouraged to update the preprint record with a link to the final published article.

This section is consistent with the ELSR Preprint Policy already stated in the Guide for Authors.

 

13. Reuse of Methods and Standard Scientific Language

ELSR recognizes that some similarity may occur in descriptions of established methods, standard procedures, technical terminology, or commonly used scientific expressions.

The presence of such similarity does not automatically indicate plagiarism.

However, authors should:

• Cite the original or relevant methodological source where appropriate.
• Clearly identify modifications to established methods.
• Avoid unnecessary verbatim copying.
• Provide sufficient information to explain the procedure accurately.

Editors will assess methodological text reuse in its scientific context.

Substantially copied methodological text may require revision even when the underlying method is appropriately cited.

 

14. Citation Does Not Automatically Permit Copying

Providing a citation does not automatically make extensive direct copying acceptable.

Authors should distinguish between:

• Acknowledging the source of an idea or finding.
• Reproducing the exact wording of a source.

Extensively copied text may remain inappropriate even when the original source is cited.

Authors are expected to present scientific information in their own scholarly writing except where limited direct quotation is justified and appropriately identified.

 

15. Similarity Identified Before Peer Review

When potentially inappropriate similarity is identified during initial editorial assessment, the Editorial Office or Editor may:

• Examine the similarity report.
• Review the original source material.
• Request clarification from the authors.
• Return the manuscript for revision.
• Request correction of citations or attribution.
• Reject the manuscript without external peer review when the concern is substantial.

The editorial action will depend on the nature and seriousness of the overlap.

Minor or technical similarity concerns may be corrected before peer review.

Substantial plagiarism or evidence of deliberate misrepresentation may result in rejection.

 

16. Similarity Identified During Peer Review

Reviewers who identify possible plagiarism or inappropriate overlap should report the concern confidentially to the Editor.

Reviewers should provide relevant details or identify the suspected source where possible.

Reviewers should not directly contact the authors or publicly discuss the concern.

The Editorial Office may examine the manuscript and supporting information before determining the appropriate action.

The peer-review process may be suspended while a significant concern is evaluated.

 

17. Similarity Identified After Revision

Revised manuscripts may be screened again when appropriate.

Authors should not introduce copied or unattributed material during manuscript revision.

Where new similarity concerns are identified, the Editorial Office may request clarification or further revision.

A manuscript may be rejected at any stage before publication if substantial plagiarism or other serious publication misconduct is identified.

Previous progression through peer review does not guarantee acceptance or publication.

 

18. Plagiarism Identified After Publication

Concerns regarding plagiarism may be raised after an article has been published.

ELSR will assess the nature, extent, and significance of the concern.

The journal may:

• Request an explanation from the authors.
• Compare the published article with the relevant source.
• Request supporting information.
• Consult appropriate editorial or subject expertise.
• Contact relevant institutions or other journals where appropriate.

Depending on the findings, editorial action may include:

• No further action.
• Publication of a correction.
• Publication of an Expression of Concern.
• Retraction of the article.
• Other action necessary to protect the scientific record.

Post-publication action will be handled in accordance with the ELSR Corrections & Retractions Policy.

 

19. Editorial Assessment of Plagiarism Concerns

ELSR seeks to evaluate plagiarism concerns fairly and in context.

The journal may consider:

• The extent of the copied or overlapping material.
• The nature of the source.
• Whether attribution was provided.
• The location of the overlap.
• Whether the overlap involves original scientific content.
• Whether data, figures, or results were misappropriated.
• Whether the authors disclosed related work.
• Whether the concern appears to result from poor scholarly practice or deliberate misrepresentation.
• The effect of the overlap on the originality and reliability of the article.

Not all similarity concerns require the same editorial action.

The response of the journal will be proportionate to the nature and seriousness of the concern.

 

20. Author Response to Plagiarism Concerns

When clarification is requested, authors should respond fully and professionally.

Authors may be asked to provide:

• An explanation of the overlapping material.
• Copies of related publications.
• Original source information.
• Copyright permissions.
• Evidence of appropriate attribution.
• Details regarding the origin of figures, tables, images, or data.
• Other relevant supporting information.

A failure to respond does not by itself establish plagiarism.

However, ELSR may make an editorial decision based on the information reasonably available when authors do not respond to a reasonable editorial enquiry.

 

21. Editorial Actions

Depending on the stage and seriousness of the concern, possible editorial actions may include:

• Requesting correction of citations.
• Requesting rewriting of overlapping text.
• Requesting appropriate disclosure.
• Returning the manuscript for major revision.
• Rejecting the manuscript.
• Suspending editorial evaluation.
• Contacting the authors for clarification.
• Referring serious concerns to an institution or other responsible authority.
• Publishing a correction.
• Publishing an Expression of Concern.
• Retracting a published article.

Editorial actions are determined on a case-by-case basis.

 

22. Similarity Percentage and Editorial Decisions

ELSR does not define a single universal similarity percentage that automatically determines acceptance or rejection.

An overall similarity percentage may not accurately reflect the seriousness of a plagiarism concern.

For example, a manuscript may have:

• A relatively high similarity score caused primarily by standard methods, references, or correctly attributed material.
• A relatively low similarity score but contain copied original ideas, results, conclusions, or a critical paragraph.

Therefore, the similarity report must be interpreted by the Editorial Office or the responsible Editor.

ELSR may establish internal screening indicators to support editorial workflow, but such indicators do not replace editorial assessment.

 

23. Appeals Concerning Plagiarism Decisions

Authors may appeal an editorial decision relating to plagiarism or inappropriate text reuse when they believe that a significant scientific, factual, or procedural issue affected the decision.

The appeal should:

• Clearly identify the disputed findings.
• Explain why the authors believe the assessment should be reconsidered.
• Provide relevant evidence or source information.

Appeals are handled according to the ELSR Appeals & Complaints Policy.

Submission of an appeal does not guarantee reversal of the original decision.

 

24. Plagiarism Policy Oversight

The Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Office are responsible for overseeing the implementation of this Plagiarism Policy.

ELSR may review and update its screening and assessment procedures to support responsible scholarly publishing and the integrity of the scientific record.

All authors submitting manuscripts to ELSR are expected to comply with this policy.