The journal uses Turnitin and/or iThenticate plagiarism detection software to evaluate the similarity index of submitted manuscripts. The similarity check is performed on both the initial submission and the final accepted version before publication.

The maximum acceptable similarity index is 25%. Manuscripts exceeding this threshold will be returned to the corresponding author for revision and resubmission. Acceptance of a manuscript depends not only on the similarity percentage but also on the nature of the matched content.

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Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as the use or close imitation of another author's language, ideas, data, images, or intellectual work without proper acknowledgment, while presenting them as one's own original work.

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General Policy

Submitted manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration for publication elsewhere. Authors are responsible for ensuring that all sources are properly cited and referenced.

Any material reproduced from another publication—including text, figures, tables, photographs, or illustrations—must receive appropriate permission from the copyright holder whenever required. Direct quotations should be clearly identified through quotation marks, indentation, and complete citation of the original source.

Authors are also responsible for identifying any previously published material included in their manuscript and clearly explaining its relationship to the current work.

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Levels of Plagiarism

1. Minor Plagiarism

A small portion of text is copied from another publication without proper citation, but no significant ideas, data, or research findings are taken.

Editorial Action:

• Authors receive a formal warning.
• The manuscript must be revised.
• Proper citations must be added before further consideration.

2. Intermediate Plagiarism

A substantial portion of text or content is copied without appropriate attribution, although the original research findings are not entirely reproduced.

Editorial Action:

• The manuscript is rejected immediately.
• The authors are prohibited from submitting new manuscripts to ARESTE for one year.

3. Severe Plagiarism

Large sections of another publication are reproduced, including original data, figures, results, concepts, or research findings without authorization or citation.

Editorial Action:

• The manuscript is rejected immediately.
• The authors are prohibited from submitting manuscripts to ARESTE for five years.

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Author Responsibility

All listed authors share equal responsibility for the originality of the submitted manuscript. By submitting a manuscript, authors acknowledge that they have read and accepted the journal's Copyright and Licensing Policy.

If plagiarism is confirmed, all co-authors will be subject to the same editorial decision and sanctions.

Repeated plagiarism by the same author(s) may result in permanent prohibition from submitting manuscripts to the journal.

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Self-Plagiarism Policy

Self-plagiarism occurs when authors reuse significant portions of their previously published work without appropriate citation or disclosure.

Authors must cite their previous publications whenever reused text, figures, tables, or research methods are included. Permission from the copyright holder may also be required.

The journal distinguishes self-plagiarism as follows:

• Less than 10% overlap: generally acceptable with proper citation.
• 10–50% overlap: considered intermediate plagiarism.
• More than 50% overlap: considered severe plagiarism.
• Overlap limited to methodology sections may be evaluated as minor plagiarism.

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Conference Papers and Translated Articles

Manuscripts previously published in conference proceedings or another language may be considered for publication only if authors clearly disclose the previous publication, obtain permission from the copyright holder where necessary, and provide complete bibliographic information.

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Editorial Responsibilities

The journal's editorial office maintains records of authors who have received plagiarism sanctions. Every newly submitted manuscript is checked against this record before entering the review process.

When a prohibited author is identified, the Editor-in-Chief will determine the appropriate editorial action according to the journal's publication ethics policy.

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Retraction and Corrections

Authors are discouraged from withdrawing manuscripts after the editorial and production process has begun. Withdrawal at this stage results in unnecessary expenditure of editorial resources.

If authors insist on withdrawing a manuscript after entering the publication process, an administrative withdrawal fee of US $150 may be charged.

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Reasons for Retraction

The journal may retract published articles when there is clear evidence of:

• Fabrication or falsification of research data.
• Plagiarism.
• Redundant or duplicate publication.
• Unauthorized use of copyrighted material.
• Serious legal or ethical violations.
• Compromised peer-review process.
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest that significantly affect the publication.

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Retraction Notice

Retraction notices will:

• Remain permanently linked to the original article.
• Clearly identify the retracted publication.
• Explain the reason for retraction.
• Be freely accessible to all readers.
• Be objective, factual, and transparent.

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Cases Where Retraction Is Not Appropriate

• Disputes concerning authorship only.
• Minor errors that can be corrected through an erratum.
• Cases awaiting institutional investigation.
• Conflicts of interest that do not affect the validity of the research findings.

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Expression of Concern

The editors may publish an Expression of Concern when credible evidence of research misconduct exists but a formal investigation has not yet reached a conclusion.

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Corrections

Corrections may be published when minor errors are identified after publication that do not invalidate the scientific findings, including inaccuracies in author information or editorial mistakes.