JCCS Policy � Section D.9
Plagiarism Screening and Academic Integrity Policy
Mandatory Turnitin Verification � Maximum Similarity Threshold: 20%
Journal of Communication and Cultural Studies (JCCS) enforces a strict anti-plagiarism policy to safeguard the originality of scholarly communication and cultural research. Plagiarism�including verbatim copying without quotation and citation, uncredited paraphrasing, self-plagiarism (text recycling), or translation plagiarism�is strictly prohibited.
1. Mandatory Similarity Screening Tool
Every manuscript submitted to JCCS undergoes mandatory similarity screening by the Editorial Office using Turnitin prior to being dispatched for double-blind peer review, and again prior to final galley production.
2. Similarity Index Thresholds and Editorial Actions
| Turnitin Similarity Index | Editorial Decision & Action Protocol |
|---|---|
| ? 20% (Maximum Threshold) | Eligible for Peer Review: Provided no single source exceeds 3%�5% and all direct quotes (such as interview excerpts or media transcripts) are properly enclosed in quotation marks and cited in APA 7th style. |
| 31% � 45% (Moderate Overlap) | Returned to Author for Revision: The manuscript is returned to the corresponding author prior to peer review with the Turnitin report attached for thorough paraphrasing and proper source attribution. |
| > 45% or Unattributed Copying | Immediate Desk Rejection: The manuscript is rejected outright without peer review. In cases of deliberate fabrication or severe plagiarism, the authors' institution may be notified. |