Plagiarism Screening

1. Purpose and Scope
To uphold the integrity, originality, and academic quality of published research, TATEFL implements a stringent plagiarism and AI-generated content screening policy. This policy applies to all submissions, including original articles, reviews, case studies, and any other content intended for publication. It aims to detect and prevent plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, and ensure transparency when AI tools are used in the research or writing process.

2. Plagiarism Screening

  • All submitted manuscripts undergo plagiarism screening using reliable plagiarism detection software to identify copied, improperly cited, or self-plagiarized content.
  • Manuscripts with a similarity score exceeding 25% (excluding references, direct quotes, and commonly used phrases) will be flagged for further review. In cases where plagiarism is detected, authors may be asked to revise and properly cite their work or may face rejection based on the severity of the infraction.
  • Any form of plagiarism, including verbatim copying without citation, inadequate paraphrasing, and self-plagiarism without disclosure, is strictly prohibited.

3. AI-Generated Content Screening

  • Authors are required to disclose the use of AI tools (such as language generation or data analysis tools) in the research or manuscript preparation process. Acknowledgment of AI assistance must be included in the methodology or acknowledgment sections of the paper.
  • AI detection software will be used to screen for unreported or excessive reliance on AI-generated content. The journal does not accept manuscripts primarily generated by AI; human-authored research is required, with AI tools permitted only as supporting resources.
  • Any detected, undisclosed AI-generated content may result in requests for revisions, additional author disclosures, or rejection of the manuscript.

4. Review Process and Consequences

  • Manuscripts flagged for potential plagiarism or undisclosed AI-generated content will be reviewed by the editorial team. If necessary, the manuscript will be returned to the authors with revision instructions or, in severe cases, be rejected.
  • Instances of verified misconduct will result in immediate rejection, with cases documented and shared within the academic community where appropriate.

This policy ensures our commitment to publishing original, high-quality research and upholding ethical standards in scholarly publishing.