Similarity Checking Policy

DScholar Press International screens all submitted manuscripts for textual similarity as part of its editorial quality assurance process. This policy applies to all publications, including peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed books, scholarly monographs, edited volumes, conference proceedings, working papers, and research reports. Similarity checking is conducted to identify potential overlap with previously published or publicly available material and to support the integrity of the scholarly publication process.

All manuscripts are subjected to similarity screening using recognized plagiarism detection software before or during editorial assessment or peer review. The similarity report is evaluated by the editorial office as one component of the overall editorial assessment and is not used as the sole basis for editorial decisions.

DScholar Press International adopts a maximum permissible similarity index of less than 10% for submitted manuscripts, excluding references, bibliography, properly quoted and cited text, acknowledgements, table of contents, standard equations, generic terms, legally required statements, and other acceptable exclusions recognized under scholarly publishing practices. The editorial office may exclude these sections before evaluating the overall similarity index.

Editorial evaluation is based on both the similarity percentage and the nature, source, location, and context of the matched text. A similarity index below the prescribed limit does not automatically establish originality, and a higher similarity index does not automatically constitute plagiarism. Each manuscript is assessed individually to determine whether the identified similarities represent legitimate scholarly use or potential publication misconduct.

Where excessive or inappropriate similarity is identified, the editorial office may request clarification or revision from the authors before proceeding with editorial assessment or peer review. Manuscripts containing extensive unattributed overlap, duplicate publication, or other forms of unethical text reuse may be rejected or investigated in accordance with the Press's Publication Ethics and Plagiarism Policies.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their submissions are original and that all borrowed material is properly quoted, cited, and acknowledged. Similarity screening does not transfer responsibility for originality from the authors to the Press.

Similarity reports generated during the editorial process are confidential and are used solely for editorial evaluation. They are not routinely shared with authors, reviewers, or third parties unless the editorial office considers disclosure necessary during the investigation of publication ethics concerns.

DScholar Press International periodically reviews its similarity checking procedures to ensure consistency with international publishing standards, publication ethics, and research integrity principles. The Press uses similarity screening to support responsible scholarly publishing while ensuring that editorial decisions are based on informed academic judgment rather than similarity scores alone.

Effective date: 25 June 2026
Last updated date: 25 June 2026