Anti-Plagiarism Policy

General Principles

Sapiens Evolución Científica is firmly committed to scientific integrity, academic originality, publication ethics, and best editorial practices.

All manuscripts submitted to the journal undergo similarity screening and originality verification procedures prior to peer review and, when necessary, at any stage of the editorial process or even after publication.

The journal follows the principles and recommendations established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), and other international organizations dedicated to research integrity.

Similarity detection serves as an editorial support tool and not as an automatic mechanism for manuscript acceptance or rejection.

All editorial decisions are based on a human, contextual, and scholarly assessment of identified similarities.

Similarity Detection Tools

The journal uses specialized software to identify academic similarity and potential plagiarism, including:

  • Turnitin®
  • iThenticate®
  • Crossref Similarity Check®
  • Other equivalent platforms deemed appropriate by the journal

Reports generated by these tools are reviewed by the editorial team, which evaluates the nature, location, extent, and relevance of the identified similarities.

Assessment of Similarity Levels

Similarity percentages are considered indicative metrics and never constitute the sole criterion for editorial decisions.

Similarity up to 15%

Generally considered acceptable when similarities correspond to:

  • Bibliographic references.
  • Properly attributed quotations.
  • Standardized technical terminology.
  • Widely used methodological descriptions.
  • Mandatory legal or regulatory text.

Similarity between 16% and 25%

Subject to detailed editorial evaluation.

The journal may request authors to:

  • Improve paraphrasing.
  • Reduce unnecessary textual overlap.
  • Include additional references.
  • Correct citation or attribution issues.

Continuation of the editorial process will depend on the nature of the identified similarities.

Similarity between 26% and 40%

Considered potentially problematic.

Depending on the extent and location of the similarities, the manuscript may:

  • Be returned for substantial revision.
  • Undergo additional originality assessment.
  • Be rejected prior to peer review.

Similarity above 40%

Generally considered incompatible with the originality standards required by the journal.

In such cases, the manuscript may be rejected immediately without entering the peer-review process.

If a similar situation is identified after publication, the journal may initiate correction, expression of concern, or retraction procedures as appropriate.

Unacceptable Practices

The journal may reject a manuscript regardless of its overall similarity percentage if any of the following practices are identified:

Plagiarism

  • Full or partial copying of text without proper attribution.
  • Unauthorized use of ideas, hypotheses, results, or interpretations from third parties.
  • Reproduction of tables, figures, images, or data without permission or proper citation.

Self-Plagiarism

  • Substantial reuse of previously published work by the same authors without appropriate acknowledgment.
  • Duplication of previously published content without valid editorial justification.

Duplicate or Redundant Publication

  • Simultaneous submission of the same manuscript to multiple journals.
  • Re-publication of previously disseminated results without transparency or appropriate citation.

Salami Publication

  • Unjustified division of a single research project into multiple publications for the purpose of artificially increasing scientific output.

Citation Manipulation

  • Deliberate inclusion of irrelevant references.
  • Citation of non-existent sources.
  • Misrepresentation of bibliographic sources to support unsupported conclusions.

Inappropriate Authorship Practices

  • Exclusion of legitimate contributors.
  • Inclusion of individuals who did not make a genuine contribution to the research.

Procedures for Suspected Plagiarism

When potential plagiarism, self-plagiarism, redundant publication, or any other form of academic misconduct is identified, the editorial team will conduct an investigation in accordance with COPE guidelines.

Depending on the severity of the case, the journal may:

  • Request explanations from the authors.
  • Require corrections or revisions.
  • Temporarily suspend the editorial process.
  • Reject the manuscript.
  • Publish corrections or expressions of concern.
  • Retract published articles.
  • Notify academic institutions, funding agencies, or relevant authorities when appropriate.

Authors’ Originality Declaration

By submitting a manuscript to Sapiens Evolución Científica, authors declare that:

  • The work is original and unpublished.
  • It has not been previously published nor simultaneously submitted to another journal.
  • All sources have been properly cited and referenced.
  • Necessary permissions have been obtained for the use of third-party materials.
  • The manuscript fully complies with the journal’s ethical and research integrity policies.
  • The data, results, and conclusions presented are authentic, verifiable, and scientifically valid.

Corrections, Expressions of Concern, and Retractions

When significant errors, originality concerns, or evidence of scientific misconduct are identified after publication, the journal may adopt editorial measures in accordance with COPE recommendations, including:

  • Corrections.
  • Errata.
  • Expressions of concern.
  • Retractions.
  • Exceptional article removal when legally or ethically justified.

All post-publication editorial actions will remain permanently linked to the original article record.

Final Statement

Sapiens Evolución Científica reaffirms its commitment to academic originality, scientific integrity, and editorial transparency.

The journal considers similarity detection an essential mechanism for protecting the quality of the scholarly record and ensuring that all published research complies with the highest international standards of ethics, accountability, academic rigor, and responsible scientific publishing in the fields of sustainability, socioecological systems, territorial development, and innovation for sustainable development.