1. Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the use of another person's ideas, words, data, research findings, or other intellectual contributions without proper acknowledgment or appropriate citation. It includes, but is not limited to:

• Direct plagiarism: Copying text or material from another source without proper quotation or acknowledgment.
• Paraphrasing plagiarism: Rewriting another author's ideas or arguments without providing appropriate references.
• Data and idea plagiarism: Using research data, findings, figures, tables, or ideas from other sources without proper acknowledgment.
• Self-plagiarism: Reusing substantial portions of one's previously published work without appropriate citation or disclosure.
• Duplicate publication: Submitting or publishing substantially similar research in more than one publication without appropriate disclosure and editorial approval.

2. Similarity Checking

All submitted manuscripts may be screened for text similarity using plagiarism detection or similarity-checking software as part of the editorial assessment process.

The similarity report is used as an initial screening instrument to identify potentially overlapping text or content. A similarity score alone does not establish the presence or absence of plagiarism. The editorial team evaluates the sources, nature, context, and extent of the similarities before making a decision.

Manuscripts containing substantial unattributed similarities or other indications of plagiarism may be returned to the authors, rejected, or subjected to further investigation, depending on the seriousness of the case.

3. Authors' Responsibilities

Authors submitting manuscripts to IJAIDS are responsible for ensuring the originality and integrity of their work. Authors must:

• Submit original work that has not been published previously, except where properly disclosed and permitted by the journal.
• Provide appropriate citations and references for all ideas, statements, data, and materials obtained from other sources.
• Use quotation marks and proper attribution when reproducing exact wording from other works.
• Obtain permission when required to reproduce copyrighted materials.
• Disclose any relevant overlap with their previously published or submitted work.
• Ensure that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the submitted manuscript.
• Respond honestly and cooperatively to editorial inquiries concerning originality and publication ethics.

4. Editorial Actions and Consequences

If plagiarism or suspected publication misconduct is identified before or after publication, the editorial team will assess the available evidence and determine appropriate action. Depending on the severity and circumstances, actions may include:

• Requesting clarification or an explanation from the authors.
• Requesting correction, rewriting, or proper acknowledgment of the affected content.
• Rejecting the submitted manuscript.
• Withdrawing or retracting a published article when serious misconduct is confirmed and retraction is warranted.
• Restricting future submissions from authors in serious or repeated cases, where justified by the circumstances.

All suspected cases will be handled fairly and confidentially. Editorial decisions will be based on the available evidence, the seriousness of the violation, and applicable publication ethics principles.

5. Post-Publication Concerns

IJAIDS welcomes reports of suspected plagiarism or publication misconduct involving articles published in the journal. Such reports should include relevant evidence and be submitted to the editorial office for assessment.

When a concern is substantiated, the journal may issue a correction, an expression of concern, or a retraction, as appropriate to the circumstances. Any post-publication action will be communicated transparently through the journal's publication platform.

6. Commitment to Publication Ethics

IJAIDS is committed to maintaining responsible scholarly publishing practices and promoting originality, transparency, and accountability in research communication. The journal expects authors, reviewers, and editors to uphold academic integrity throughout the publication process.