Policy Statement
NGWR publishes only original scholarly work. Submissions are screened for similarity; plagiarized content is not considered for publication and suspected cases are handled under COPE procedures.
Acceptable Similarity Threshold
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The overall similarity must be ≤10% (after applying standard exclusions). Submissions exceeding this may be returned or rejected.
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Similarity scores are a screening tool, not a verdict; editors review the report context before decisions.
Tools and Exclusions
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Submissions are checked with Turnitin/iThenticate (Crossref Similarity Check) or equivalent.
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Standard filters may be applied: exclude bibliography/references, quoted text, and properly cited text (to avoid inflating the score).
What Counts as Plagiarism
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Verbatim copying without quotation and citation.
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Mosaic/patchwriting that too closely follows a source’s structure/phrasing.
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Paraphrasing others’ ideas without credit.
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Figure/table/data reuse without permission/credit.
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Self-plagiarism/text recycling: reusing substantial parts of one’s own published or submitted text without transparent citation and justification. (Handled per COPE guidance.)
Preprints & Prior Dissemination
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Posting a preprint or earlier conference abstract is allowed if disclosed on submission and properly cited in the manuscript. Any overlap must be transparent and not breach copyright. (Editors will assess overlap using the similarity report.)
Author Responsibilities
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Submit entirely original text and properly cite/quote any reused material.
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Where third-party content (figures, images, long quotations) is reused, obtain permission and include the credit line.
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Ensure all co-authors approve the final version and disclosures (funding, conflicts of interest).
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If generative AI tools are used for language editing/visuals, disclose tool and version; authors remain responsible for all content.
Submitting the Similarity Report (optional but encouraged)
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Authors may upload the similarity report PDF (with exclusions noted) during submission to expedite checks and clarify legitimate overlaps (methods boilerplate, standard definitions, etc.).
Handling Identified Overlap
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Before acceptance: Editors review the report. Depending on severity, actions include revise to correct attribution, resubmit after rewriting, or reject. Serious cases may trigger institutional notification.
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After publication: Confirmed plagiarism leads to a correction or retraction with a transparent notice linked to the article, following COPE flowcharts.
Reviewer & Editor Roles
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Reviewers should flag suspected overlap confidentially to the editor, citing sources where possible.
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Editors evaluate reports, apply exclusions consistently, and make decisions independent of APC/waiver status.
FAQs (Quick Reference)
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What is the maximum allowed similarity? ≤10% after exclusions.
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Which parts are usually excluded? References, properly quoted passages, and clearly cited text.
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Does a high score always mean plagiarism? No. Editors inspect the context of matches; scores guide, they don’t decide.
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Can I reuse my own published text? Only with clear citation and when justified; otherwise it may be treated as self-plagiarism.
Contact
Questions about this policy or a specific report? Write to the editorial office at editorngwr@ngenpub.com with your manuscript ID.
