Plagiarism Policy

1. Policy Statement

The Borneo Journal of Language and Education (BENJOLE) is committed to maintaining academic integrity, originality, and responsible scholarly communication. Plagiarism and other practices that misrepresent the originality or ownership of scholarly work are unacceptable and are prohibited in manuscripts submitted to or published by the journal.

This policy establishes the principles and procedures for preventing, identifying, assessing, and responding to suspected plagiarism. It applies to all manuscripts submitted to BENJOLE and to articles already published in the journal.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their manuscripts represent original scholarly work, that all sources are appropriately acknowledged, and that any material derived from other works is used in accordance with academic conventions and applicable intellectual property requirements.

2. Definition and Forms of Plagiarism

Plagiarism occurs when an individual uses another person's ideas, words, research findings, data, or other intellectual contributions without appropriate acknowledgement, attribution, or permission where required, thereby misrepresenting the material as their own.

Plagiarism may occur intentionally or unintentionally. Regardless of intent, suspected cases will be assessed according to the nature, extent, context, and seriousness of the overlap.

Plagiarism may include, but is not limited to, the following forms:

2.1. Direct Plagiarism

Copying words, sentences, paragraphs, or substantial portions of another work without appropriate quotation, citation, or acknowledgement.

2.2. Paraphrasing Plagiarism

Rewriting another person's ideas or arguments using different words or sentence structures without properly acknowledging the original source.

2.3. Idea and Intellectual Contribution Plagiarism

Presenting another person's theories, interpretations, conceptual frameworks, research designs, arguments, or original ideas as one's own without appropriate attribution.

2.4. Data, Findings, and Results Plagiarism

Using another researcher's data, tables, figures, findings, or other research outputs without appropriate acknowledgement or permission where required.

2.5. Source and Citation Misrepresentation

Failing to acknowledge the original source of borrowed material, misrepresenting the source of an idea, or providing misleading attribution that obscures the actual origin of the material.

2.6. Self-Plagiarism and Text Recycling

Reusing substantial portions of one's own previously published work without appropriate disclosure or acknowledgement, particularly when the reuse misrepresents previously published material as new or original.

The reuse of previously published material is assessed according to its nature, extent, disclosure, and scholarly context. Legitimate reuse, properly acknowledged quotations, and transparent extensions of previous research are not automatically considered plagiarism.

2.7. Duplicate and Redundant Publication

Submitting or publishing substantially overlapping work without appropriate disclosure, justification, or compliance with the journal's submission requirements.

Duplicate or redundant publication is assessed in accordance with BENJOLE's Publication Ethics policy and applicable guidance on concurrent submissions and redundant publication.

3. Citation and Attribution Requirements

Authors must acknowledge all sources that materially contribute to the content, arguments, methods, analysis, or conclusions of their manuscripts.

Authors are required to:

  • Cite sources whenever they use another person's ideas, arguments, research findings, or specific information that requires attribution.
  • Use quotation marks or appropriate quotation formatting when reproducing exact wording from another source.
  • Provide accurate and complete references for cited works.
  • Clearly distinguish their own contributions from the ideas and findings of other researchers.
  • Obtain permission for the use of copyrighted materials where required.
  • Disclose substantial overlap with their own previously published work or other related manuscripts.
  • Ensure that citations and references accurately represent the sources consulted.

Common knowledge generally does not require citation. However, authors should cite sources when information, interpretations, or claims require scholarly support or are attributable to specific research.

4. Plagiarism Screening

BENJOLE uses Turnitin or equivalent similarity-checking software to screen manuscripts during the editorial assessment process and before acceptance decisions are made.

Similarity reports are used as supporting evidence to help editors identify passages that may require further examination. A similarity score does not, by itself, establish whether plagiarism has occurred.

In assessing a similarity report, the editorial team may consider:

  • The proportion and location of overlapping text.
  • Whether the overlapping material is properly cited or quoted.
  • Whether the similarities involve references, standard terminology, common phrases, methodological descriptions, or substantive scholarly content.
  • Whether the overlap concerns another author's original ideas, data, analysis, or conclusions.
  • Whether substantial portions of the author's previous work have been reused without appropriate disclosure.
  • The overall context and scholarly significance of the overlapping material.

The journal does not rely exclusively on a numerical similarity threshold to determine plagiarism. Editorial decisions are based on a contextual assessment of the available evidence.

5. Assessment of Similarity Reports

When a similarity report identifies potential concerns, the editorial team evaluates the findings to determine whether further clarification, revision, or action is necessary.

The assessment may result in one of the following responses:

5.1. Acceptable Similarities

Some similarities may arise from properly cited quotations, reference lists, standard terminology, commonly used expressions, or conventional descriptions of research methods. Such similarities do not automatically constitute plagiarism when the material is appropriately attributed and does not misrepresent the originality of the work.

5.2. Minor or Correctable Attribution Problems

Where the concern involves limited unattributed wording, incomplete citations, or other correctable attribution problems, the editor may request clarification or revision. The authors must correct the identified issues before the manuscript can proceed, where appropriate.

5.3. Substantial or Serious Plagiarism Concerns

Where the evidence suggests substantial unattributed copying, appropriation of original ideas or research findings, misleading reuse of previously published work, or other serious concerns, the journal may reject the manuscript or suspend editorial processing while the matter is examined. The corresponding author may be asked to provide an explanation and relevant supporting documentation. The journal's response will depend on the seriousness of the concern and the available evidence.

6. Procedures for Handling Suspected Plagiarism Before Publication

When suspected plagiarism is identified during submission, editorial assessment, or peer review, BENJOLE will take appropriate steps to assess the concern.

The procedure may include:

  • Reviewing the similarity report and other available evidence.
  • Identifying the sources and nature of the overlapping material.
  • Determining whether the overlap is appropriately attributed and whether further examination is necessary.
  • Requesting an explanation or additional documentation from the corresponding author when appropriate.
  • Evaluating the author's response and determining the appropriate editorial action.

Depending on the findings, the journal may:

  • Request correction of citations, quotations, or attribution.
  • Require substantive revisions where the problem is correctable.
  • Reject the manuscript when serious plagiarism is established or significant concerns remain unresolved.
  • Suspend editorial processing while the concern is investigated.
  • Refer the matter to the relevant institution or research organization when necessary.

The author will be given an appropriate opportunity to respond before an adverse conclusion is reached, where practicable and consistent with the circumstances of the case.

7. Procedures for Handling Suspected Plagiarism After Publication

BENJOLE also considers credible allegations of plagiarism involving articles that have already been published.

Reports may be submitted by readers, authors, researchers, institutions, or other concerned parties to the journal's editorial office.

When a concern is raised, the editorial team will:

  • Review the allegation and request supporting evidence where necessary.
  • Examine the published article and the source or sources concerned.
  • Contact the corresponding author for clarification when appropriate.
  • Assess the available evidence and determine whether further investigation is necessary.
  • Consult independent experts or contact the relevant institution when the matter requires additional examination.
  • Determine the appropriate action to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

Depending on the nature and seriousness of the case, the journal may publish a correction, issue an expression of concern, retract the article, or take other appropriate editorial action.

Post-publication decisions will be made in accordance with BENJOLE's Allegations of Research Misconduct policy, Correction and Retraction Policy, and relevant publication ethics guidance.

8. Possible Editorial Actions

The action taken by BENJOLE depends on the severity, extent, context, and evidential basis of the suspected plagiarism.

Possible actions include:

  • Requesting clarification or additional documentation.
  • Requiring correction of citations, quotations, or attribution.
  • Requesting manuscript revision where the problem is appropriately correctable.
  • Rejecting a manuscript before publication.
  • Suspending editorial processing while a concern is examined.
  • Contacting the relevant institution or research organization when appropriate.
  • Publishing a correction or an expression of concern for a published article.
  • Retracting a published article when justified by the evidence and circumstances.

The journal will seek to ensure that any action is proportionate to the findings and consistent with applicable publication ethics principles.

9. Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to BENJOLE are responsible for ensuring that their work complies with this policy.

Authors must:

  • Submit original scholarly work and appropriately acknowledge all sources.
  • Ensure that quotations, paraphrases, data, figures, and other borrowed materials are properly attributed.
  • Disclose substantial overlap with previously published work.
  • Obtain permission for third-party material where required.
  • Respond honestly and promptly to editorial inquiries concerning similarity reports or suspected plagiarism.
  • Correct identified attribution problems when requested and appropriate.
  • Cooperate with legitimate editorial investigations into concerns about the originality or integrity of their manuscripts.

Submitting a manuscript to BENJOLE constitutes an acknowledgement of the journal's plagiarism requirements and related publication ethics policies.

10. Use of Artificial Intelligence

The use of artificial intelligence tools does not remove an author's responsibility to ensure the originality, accuracy, and appropriate attribution of a manuscript.

AI-generated or AI-assisted content must not be used to reproduce or paraphrase another person's work in a way that misrepresents its origin or conceals plagiarism.

Authors remain responsible for verifying the accuracy of generated content, checking references, and ensuring that the manuscript does not contain unattributed material derived from other sources.

Any disclosure requirements concerning AI-assisted research or manuscript preparation are governed by BENJOLE's Artificial Intelligence Policy.

11. Appeals and Complaints

Authors who disagree with a decision concerning suspected plagiarism may submit a written appeal to the BENJOLE editorial office.

The appeal should identify the manuscript, explain the grounds for reconsideration, and provide relevant evidence or clarification.

The journal will consider appeals fairly and impartially. Where practicable, the appeal should be assessed by an editor or qualified person who was not directly involved in the original decision and who has no relevant conflict of interest.

The submission of an appeal does not guarantee that the original decision will be changed.

12. Contact Information

Reports, questions, or concerns regarding suspected plagiarism may be directed to the BENJOLE editorial office.

Email: jurnal.benjole@uinsi.ac.id

BENJOLE is committed to protecting academic integrity, acknowledging intellectual contributions appropriately, and maintaining the originality and reliability of the scholarly record.