Plagiarism & Retraction Policy

Plagiarism & Retraction Policy

Environmental Engineering Journal ITATS (ENVITATS) is committed to maintaining the originality, integrity, credibility, and reliability of scientific publications in environmental engineering and related disciplines.

The Editorial Board recognizes that plagiarism, duplicate publication, research misconduct, data fabrication, and inappropriate research practices are unacceptable and may undermine public confidence in scientific research.

ENVITATS establishes this Plagiarism and Retraction Policy to ensure that all submitted and published manuscripts comply with recognized standards of research integrity and publication ethics.

This policy applies to all authors, editors, reviewers, and other parties involved in the journal's editorial and publication processes.

The procedures for handling suspected plagiarism and correcting the scholarly record are informed by the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the presentation of another person's words, ideas, research findings, data, figures, tables, or other intellectual contributions as one's own without appropriate acknowledgment or attribution.

Plagiarism may occur intentionally or unintentionally and includes the following practices:

  1. Direct Plagiarism: Reproducing another author's text verbatim without appropriate quotation and citation.

  2. Paraphrasing Plagiarism: Rewriting another author's ideas or findings without acknowledging the original source.

  3. Substantial Plagiarism: Reproducing significant portions of another publication, including its research design, results, interpretations, or conclusions, without proper acknowledgment.

  4. Self-Plagiarism or Text Recycling: Reusing substantial portions of the authors' previously published work without appropriate disclosure, citation, or justification.

  5. Data and Figure Plagiarism: Presenting previously published or third-party datasets, experimental results, photographs, figures, maps, or tables as original work.

  6. Source Misrepresentation: Providing misleading citations, fabricating references, or deliberately misrepresenting the contributions of original sources.

  7. Duplicate or Redundant Publication: Submitting or publishing substantially the same research findings in more than one journal without appropriate disclosure or justification.

ENVITATS considers both the quantity and scientific significance of the material involved when evaluating suspected plagiarism.

2. Plagiarism Screening Process

All manuscripts submitted to ENVITATS are subject to originality screening as part of the initial editorial evaluation.

The editorial team uses available similarity-checking software and manual editorial assessment to identify potential text overlap, inadequate attribution, duplicate publication, and other originality concerns.

Similarity screening may be conducted:

  • During initial manuscript submission;

  • Before assigning the manuscript to peer reviewers;

  • Following major manuscript revisions, when necessary;

  • Before final acceptance or publication, when appropriate; and

  • Following allegations or evidence of plagiarism involving published articles.

The editorial team examines similarity reports carefully, considering the nature, location, and relevance of matching material.

Particular attention is given to substantial overlap in the introduction, research methodology, results, discussion, conclusions, and other sections containing original intellectual contributions.

Properly attributed quotations, bibliographic references, standard technical terminology, and legitimately repeated methodological descriptions are assessed in context.

A similarity percentage alone does not establish plagiarism.

A low similarity score does not guarantee originality, while a high score does not necessarily indicate research misconduct.

The final assessment must be based on editorial judgment, documentary evidence, and the scientific significance of the identified overlap.

When substantial or unexplained similarity is detected, the editorial team may request clarification, correction, or supporting documentation from the authors before proceeding with the manuscript.

3. Originality and Author Responsibilities

Authors submitting manuscripts to ENVITATS must ensure that their work is original, scientifically valid, and appropriately attributed.

Authors are required to:

  1. Submit manuscripts that have not been published elsewhere in a substantially identical form, unless prior dissemination has been disclosed and accepted under the journal's policies.

  2. Avoid simultaneous submission of the same manuscript to multiple journals.

  3. Properly acknowledge all sources of information, ideas, methods, and data obtained from other researchers.

  4. Clearly identify quotations and reproduced materials.

  5. Obtain necessary permissions for copyrighted material when required.

  6. Accurately acknowledge previously published or closely related research.

  7. Disclose the existence of relevant preprints, conference papers, theses, dissertations, or prior publications when applicable.

  8. Ensure the authenticity and integrity of research data, figures, tables, and analytical results.

  9. Cooperate with editorial investigations into suspected plagiarism or research misconduct.

  10. Comply with the journal's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy concerning the responsible use and disclosure of AI-assisted technologies.

Authors remain accountable for the scientific integrity of their submitted manuscripts.

4. Levels of Plagiarism and Editorial Actions

ENVITATS categorizes suspected plagiarism according to the nature, extent, context, and severity of the identified misconduct.

4.1. Minor Plagiarism

Minor plagiarism may involve limited unattributed text overlap, inadequate paraphrasing, or citation errors that do not materially misrepresent the manuscript's originality, research data, or scientific contribution.

Possible Editorial Actions:

  • Written notification explaining the identified concerns;

  • Requests for correction, appropriate citation, or rewriting;

  • Submission of a revised manuscript;

  • Additional originality screening; and

  • Continued editorial assessment when the concerns have been adequately resolved.

4.2. Intermediate Plagiarism

Intermediate plagiarism involves substantial unattributed textual overlap, repeated inappropriate paraphrasing, or significant reuse of previously published content without adequate disclosure.

Such practices may undermine the originality of the manuscript even when the underlying research data have not been falsified.

Possible Editorial Actions:

  • Suspension of manuscript processing pending clarification;

  • A formal request for explanation and supporting evidence;

  • Requirements for substantial revision;

  • Rejection of the manuscript where the originality requirements cannot be satisfied; and

  • Referral of substantiated concerns to the appropriate institutional authority when warranted.

4.3. Severe Plagiarism

Severe plagiarism involves serious misappropriation of another researcher's intellectual contributions, including substantial copying of original research findings, data, figures, analytical results, or conclusions.

It may also involve deliberate concealment of duplicate publication, systematic misrepresentation of research ownership, or plagiarism accompanied by fabrication or falsification.

Possible Editorial Actions:

  • Rejection of a manuscript under consideration;

  • Formal documentation of the identified misconduct;

  • Notification of relevant authors and institutional authorities, when appropriate;

  • Investigation of other affected manuscripts when supported by evidence; and

  • Retraction or other post-publication corrective action when the misconduct concerns a published article.

Editorial decisions are based on the available evidence, the seriousness of the concerns, the authors' explanations, and applicable publication ethics procedures.

No determination of research misconduct shall be based solely on an automated similarity report.

5. Handling Allegations of Plagiarism

When suspected plagiarism is identified by editors, reviewers, readers, authors, or other parties, ENVITATS follows a fair and confidential assessment procedure.

The process includes:

  1. Preliminary Assessment: The editorial team examines the allegation and collects relevant documentary evidence.

  2. Evidence Verification: The allegedly overlapping materials are compared with the original sources to determine the nature and significance of the concern.

  3. Author Notification: The corresponding author is informed of the concern and may be asked to provide clarification or supporting documentation.

  4. Editorial Evaluation: The Editor-in-Chief or authorized editor evaluates the available evidence and the author's response.

  5. Consultation: Additional reviewers, independent experts, publishers, or institutional research integrity officers may be consulted when necessary.

  6. Editorial Decision: An appropriate action is determined according to the seriousness of the issue.

  7. Documentation: Relevant correspondence, evidence, assessments, and decisions are recorded as part of the journal's editorial records.

Authors must be given a reasonable opportunity to respond to allegations before a final editorial determination is made.

The confidentiality of complainants, authors, reviewers, and other involved parties shall be protected to the extent reasonably possible.

6. Self-Plagiarism and Redundant Publication

ENVITATS recognizes that limited text recycling may occur in scientific writing, particularly when describing established experimental methods, analytical procedures, or standardized technical protocols.

However, previously published material must not be reused in a manner that misrepresents its originality or creates misleading claims of new scientific contributions.

Authors must appropriately cite and disclose related publications.

The editorial team evaluates overlapping content by considering:

  • The extent and purpose of the overlap;

  • Whether the overlapping material concerns research methods or original findings;

  • The degree of novelty and additional scientific contribution;

  • Whether previously published data or findings have been appropriately acknowledged;

  • Whether prior publication or dissemination has been disclosed; and

  • Whether applicable copyright and licensing conditions have been respected.

Manuscripts derived from theses, dissertations, conference presentations, or preprints may be considered where their prior dissemination is appropriately disclosed and the submission complies with the journal's editorial policies.

Duplicate publication that substantially reproduces previously published research findings without legitimate justification may lead to rejection or post-publication corrective action.

7. Retraction Policy

Retraction is a formal mechanism used to correct the scholarly record when a published article contains serious problems that render its findings, conclusions, or publication integrity unreliable.

The primary purpose of retraction is to maintain the integrity of the scientific literature, not to punish authors.

ENVITATS follows the principles outlined in the COPE Retraction Guidelines when considering whether a published article should be retracted.

7.1. Grounds for Retraction

An article may be considered for retraction when:

  • There is clear evidence that its findings or conclusions are unreliable because of major errors, fabrication, falsification, or serious methodological problems.

  • Plagiarism involving substantial intellectual contributions or research material is confirmed.

  • The article constitutes redundant or duplicate publication without appropriate disclosure or justification.

  • Research data, laboratory results, environmental measurements, or analytical findings have been fabricated or deliberately manipulated.

  • Figures, photographs, satellite images, maps, or other scientific evidence have been misleadingly altered.

  • Serious violations of research ethics materially affect the legitimacy or integrity of the work.

  • Peer-review manipulation or fraudulent editorial procedures are identified.

  • Copyright infringement or unauthorized use of protected materials constitutes a serious unresolved publication integrity concern.

  • Other serious circumstances undermine confidence in the scientific validity or integrity of the published article.

A retraction decision is made after evaluating the evidence and considering the nature and consequences of the identified problems.

7.2. Retraction Procedure

When a serious concern regarding a published article is raised, ENVITATS undertakes the following procedures:

  1. The Editor-in-Chief initiates a preliminary evaluation of the allegation.

  2. The editorial team collects relevant evidence and verifies the scientific or ethical concerns.

  3. The authors are contacted and given an opportunity to respond.

  4. Relevant experts, institutional authorities, or research integrity officers may be consulted when necessary.

  5. The Editor-in-Chief and authorized editorial representatives determine the appropriate corrective action.

  6. If retraction is warranted, a formal retraction notice is published and linked to the original article.

  7. Relevant article metadata and indexing information are updated where technically supported.

The absence of agreement among authors does not automatically prevent a necessary retraction when sufficient evidence establishes that the published findings or conclusions are unreliable.

7.3. Retraction Notice Requirements

A retraction notice issued by ENVITATS should:

  • Be clearly identified as a Retraction;

  • Include the title and complete bibliographic details of the affected article;

  • Identify the original article through its DOI or permanent URL, where available;

  • Explain the reason for the retraction in a clear and factual manner;

  • Identify the authority responsible for the retraction decision;

  • State the relevant evidence or circumstances supporting the decision;

  • Be publicly accessible without subscription restrictions; and

  • Be linked electronically to the original publication.

The original article should normally remain accessible as part of the scholarly record, with a prominent indication that it has been retracted.

Retraction notices and relevant records must be maintained to preserve the transparency and integrity of the publication history.

8. Corrections and Errata

ENVITATS recognizes that honest errors may occur during research, manuscript preparation, editing, or publication.

A correction may be issued when a published article contains an error that requires clarification or amendment but does not fundamentally invalidate its principal findings or conclusions.

Corrections may include:

  • Errors in numerical values, units, or calculations;

  • Incorrect figure or table labels;

  • Inaccurate methodological descriptions that can be corrected without invalidating the work;

  • Bibliographic or citation errors;

  • Incorrect author names, affiliations, or funding acknowledgments; and

  • Other factual or production errors that warrant a public correction.

When a correction is necessary, the editorial team will publish an appropriate notice identifying the original article and explaining the correction.

Where an article file is updated, the changes and date of modification should be documented, and earlier versions should be preserved in the journal's editorial or archival records.

Minor typographical adjustments that do not affect meaning may be handled through appropriate editorial procedures.

Corrections must not be used to conceal substantial scientific errors or confirmed research misconduct.

9. Expression of Concern

ENVITATS may issue an Expression of Concern when serious questions arise regarding a published article but the available evidence is insufficient to justify an immediate correction or retraction.

An Expression of Concern may be considered when:

  • An investigation into significant research or publication integrity concerns is ongoing;

  • Available evidence is inconclusive but raises substantial questions about the reliability of published findings;

  • Relevant institutional investigations remain unresolved;

  • Authors or institutions are unable to provide essential information needed to evaluate a serious concern; or

  • Delays in investigating a significant issue create a need to inform readers of potential problems.

An Expression of Concern must clearly identify the affected article and explain the nature of the unresolved concerns.

It should be linked to the original publication and remain publicly accessible.

Following the completion of an investigation, ENVITATS may publish a correction, issue a retraction, update or withdraw the Expression of Concern, or take no further action, depending on the evidence.

10. Manuscript Withdrawal and Post-Publication Responsibilities

Authors who wish to withdraw a manuscript before publication must submit a formal request to the editorial office stating the reasons for withdrawal.

The editorial team will review the request, determine the manuscript's current editorial status, and communicate the outcome to the corresponding author.

Withdrawal of an unpublished manuscript is distinct from the retraction of a published article.

Once an article has been formally published, serious concerns regarding its validity or integrity must be addressed through the appropriate post-publication mechanism, such as a correction, Expression of Concern, or retraction.

Authors who discover significant errors in their published work are responsible for promptly notifying the editorial office and cooperating with the corrective process.

11. Environmental Research Data Integrity

ENVITATS places particular emphasis on the authenticity, traceability, and reliability of scientific data used in environmental engineering research.

Authors must ensure that laboratory results, field measurements, environmental monitoring data, experimental observations, model outputs, and analytical findings accurately represent the research performed.

Examples of unacceptable practices include:

  • Fabricating water, air, or soil quality measurements;

  • Manipulating wastewater treatment efficiency results;

  • Inventing laboratory test results or sampling records;

  • Altering environmental monitoring datasets to support predetermined conclusions;

  • Presenting simulated data as actual field observations without disclosure;

  • Misrepresenting GIS, remote sensing, or satellite-derived information; and

  • Selectively reporting research findings in a misleading manner.

When concerns regarding data integrity arise, the editorial team may request relevant documentation, original datasets, laboratory records, methodological information, or other supporting evidence.

Such materials will be handled with appropriate confidentiality and regard for applicable ethical, legal, and data protection requirements.

12. Editorial Independence and Policy Enforcement

All investigations and editorial decisions under this policy must be conducted objectively, fairly, consistently, and without inappropriate influence.

Editorial decisions must not be influenced by publication fees, institutional affiliations, personal relationships, or other non-scientific considerations.

Where an editor has a relevant conflict of interest, the matter should be assigned to another qualified editor.

ENVITATS maintains records of relevant editorial decisions and may cooperate with appropriate institutions, publishers, and research integrity authorities when necessary.

Any additional institutional disciplinary measures are the responsibility of the competent institutional authorities and are distinct from the journal's responsibility to safeguard the scholarly record.

13. Policy Implementation and Updates

This policy shall take effect following its formal approval and publication by the ENVITATS Editorial Board.

ENVITATS reserves the right to review and update this policy in accordance with developments in research integrity standards, scholarly publishing practices, and applicable regulations.

Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to familiarize themselves with this policy and comply with its requirements.

References and Ethical Guidelines

This policy is informed by the following resources:

  1. Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Retraction Guidelines, updated August 2025. https://doi.org/10.24318/cope.2019.1.4

  2. Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Plagiarism in a Submitted Manuscript. https://doi.org/10.24318/cope.2019.2.1

  3. Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Redundant (Duplicate) Publication in a Published Article. https://doi.org/10.24318/cope.2019.2.13

  4. International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals. https://www.icmje.org/recommendations/

Environmental Engineering Journal ITATS (ENVITATS)

Editorial Board

Institut Teknologi Adhi Tama Surabaya (ITATS), Indonesia