Plagiarism

AHPROCE upholds the highest standards of originality and academic integrity. This policy explains what we mean by plagiarism, the thresholds we apply, how we screen submissions, and what authors must do to ensure ethical scholarly work. Our approach is aligned with good practices recommended by editorial communities and COPE.

• Verbatim copying of text, tables, figures, or code without quotation marks and proper citation.
• Inadequate paraphrasing (close paraphrase) that follows the source’s structure/wording without clear attribution.
• Idea/data appropriation (using others’ concepts, data, or results) without acknowledgement or permission when required.
• Duplicate/previously published work submitted as new, in any language, without transparent disclosure.

AHPROCE applies a maximum overall similarity of 10% (after exclusions) with a single-source cap of 2%. Submissions above these limits are returned for revision or may be rejected.

• Use credible, peer-reviewed sources and current literature; prioritize reputable journals and publishers.
• Manage references with Mendeley Desktop (APA 7th) for accurate, consistent citations.
• Always cite the original source of ideas, data, and instruments; cite reviews only for broader context.

All submissions are screened prior to peer review using industry-standard systems:

• Turnitin — primary similarity screening (overall ≤ 10%, per-source ≤ 2% after exclusions).
• iThenticate — secondary checks for borderline cases and post-revision verification.

• Text recycling from an author’s prior works must be minimal, paraphrased properly, and cited.
• Salami publication (fragmenting one study into multiple overlapping papers) is not allowed.
• Translations of previously published work require transparency and permission; they are generally discouraged unless strong justification is provided.
• Preprints are allowed if clearly disclosed; the manuscript must be substantially revised for journal submission.

Language tools may improve readability, but they must not be used to disguise unattributed copying. Authors remain fully responsible for accuracy, originality, and proper citation.

• Grammar/Paraphrase tools (e.g., QuillBot Pro): may be used for language polishing; do not use to rewrite large blocks from sources. Always verify that paraphrases are genuinely original and properly attributed.
• Translation tools (e.g., DeepL Pro): allowed for language support, but authors must check accuracy and cite the original sources of ideas/data; machine translation does not remove the need for attribution.

• Before review: Manuscripts exceeding thresholds are returned to authors for correction or rejected.
• During/after review: Confirmed plagiarism leads to rejection. For published articles, AHPROCE may issue corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions following COPE flowcharts.
• Serious/repeat violations: May result in submission bans and notification to institutions/funders.

Robust plagiarism control protects author reputations, strengthens the credibility of research, and ensures that policy and practice in health promotion are informed by trustworthy, original evidence. By using professional screening tools (, ), careful citation management (Mendeley), language support tools (, ), and transparent reporting, AHPROCE helps authors deliver manuscripts that are both rigorous and ethically sound.