1. Anti-Plagiarism Policy: Upholding Originality and Academic Integrity

The cornerstone of scholarly research is originality. Community Service Research Innovation (CSRI) rigorously enforces a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism in all its forms. Plagiarism compromises not only the integrity of individual research but also the reputation of the entire scientific community and the advancement of knowledge.

• Strict Similarity Threshold: Manuscripts submitted to CSRI must demonstrate a similarity index of no more than 12% as verified by reputable plagiarism detection software such as TURNITIN or iThenticate. Any manuscript exceeding this threshold will be immediately returned to authors for revision or rejected.
• Pre-Submission Responsibility: Authors are obligated to perform thorough plagiarism checks before submission, rectifying any problematic text and providing a plagiarism report as part of their submission package.
• Paraphrasing vs. Copying: Effective paraphrasing is essential to incorporate previous works while maintaining academic honesty. Automated paraphrasing tools (e.g., QuillBot, Grammarly) may assist but should never replace a nuanced and original scholarly voice.
• Proper Attribution and Citation: All sources—whether direct quotes, paraphrased ideas, or data—must be meticulously cited according to APA 7th Edition or journal-specific referencing standards. Use of reference management tools like Mendeley is strongly encouraged.
• Language and Clarity: Manuscripts in English should maintain high linguistic standards, aided by tools such as DEELP or professional editing, to ensure clarity, reduce ambiguity, and enhance accessibility.

Failure to comply with plagiarism policies will lead to rejection, retraction of published work, and may have further consequences including notification of institutional authorities. Upholding originality safeguards the trustworthiness of CSRI and its contribution to global community service research.

2. Code of Ethics: Principles for Responsible Conduct in Research and Publication

Ethical conduct forms the backbone of credible research dissemination. CSRI expects all authors, reviewers, editors, and affiliated personnel to adhere to the highest standards of professional integrity and responsibility.

• Honesty and Accuracy in Data Reporting: Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting of data violates scientific integrity and damages the research ecosystem. Authors must present data truthfully and transparently.
• Respect for Intellectual Property: Unauthorized use or reproduction of others’ ideas, texts, figures, or data constitutes plagiarism and intellectual theft. Proper acknowledgment through citation is mandatory.
• Authorship Transparency: Authorship credit must reflect substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research. Ghost authorship or honorary authorship are unethical practices strictly prohibited by CSRI.
• Ethical Approval and Participant Protection: Research involving human participants or animals must comply with international ethical guidelines (e.g., Declaration of Helsinki, institutional review boards). Authors must provide statements of ethical approval and informed consent where applicable.
• Conflict of Interest Disclosure: All financial, personal, or professional conflicts that could bias the work or its interpretation must be transparently disclosed to ensure impartiality.
• Reviewer Responsibilities: Peer reviewers are entrusted to provide objective, confidential, and constructive evaluations. Conflicts of interest must be declared, and any suspected ethical concerns in manuscripts must be reported to editors.
• Editorial Integrity: Editors must act impartially and confidentially, ensuring timely decisions based on scientific merit alone. Any conflicts of interest must be managed appropriately.
• Handling Misconduct: Allegations of misconduct, including plagiarism or unethical research practices, will be thoroughly investigated. Corrective actions may include retractions, corrections, or sanctions.

By fostering an ethical research culture, CSRI contributes to the advancement of trustworthy knowledge and responsible community engagement worldwide.

3. Case Studies and Practical Guidance

To aid authors and contributors, below are typical scenarios illustrating ethical challenges and recommended best practices:

1. Scenario: An author uses extensive text from another study without citation.
   Recommended Action: Rewrite with proper paraphrasing and cite the original source to avoid plagiarism.
2. Scenario: Data inconsistencies appear between the manuscript and supplementary materials.
   Recommended Action: Ensure all data are accurate, provide raw datasets if requested, and clarify discrepancies.
3. Scenario: A reviewer knows the author personally and feels biased.
   Recommended Action: Declare conflict of interest and decline the review to maintain impartiality.
4. Scenario: Post-publication discovery of errors affecting conclusions.
   Recommended Action: Promptly notify the editor for correction or retraction to maintain scientific integrity.

These examples emphasize proactive ethical mindfulness required by all CSRI stakeholders.