The University of Nigeria Maritime Studies and Research Journal (UNMSRJ) upholds the
highest standards of academic integrity and places a strong emphasis on originality in
scholarly publishing. To safeguard these principles, the Journal maintains a clear and
comprehensive plagiarism policy to guide authors, reviewers, and editorial staff in
ensuring ethical publication practices.
1. Definition of Plagiarism
Plagiarism, as defined by UNMSRJ, refers to the act of presenting another person’s
words, ideas, research findings, images, or data as one’s own without appropriate
acknowledgment. This includes, but is not limited to:
 Copying text verbatim from another source without citation.
 Paraphrasing ideas from existing works without giving credit.
 Using research data, graphs, or images without permission or proper attribution.
 Submitting previously published work as new or original (self-plagiarism).
All forms of textual, conceptual, and data plagiarism are considered serious breaches of
publication ethics.
2. Pre-Submission Requirements
Authors’ Responsibilities

Authors are solely responsible for ensuring the originality of their work prior to
submission. They must verify that:
 The manuscript is their own original creation.
 All external sources, whether quoted directly or paraphrased, are properly cited.
 Ideas, methods, data, and visual content derived from other works are fully
acknowledged.
 Any content used from previously published work (including their own) is clearly
indicated and referenced.
Declaration of Originality
As part of the submission process, authors are required to submit a Declaration of
Originality, affirming that:
 The manuscript is entirely original.
 The work has not been published previously, in part or in full, in any language or
format, except in cases such as academic theses, abstracts, or institutional
presentations.
3. Plagiarism Detection Process
Software Utilization
UNMSRJ employs Turnitin and other industry-recognized plagiarism detection software
to screen all manuscripts submitted for review. These tools compare submissions against
an extensive database of academic and non-academic sources to identify similarities.
Similarity Thresholds
While there is no universal similarity percentage that defines plagiarism, manuscripts with
a high similarity index (typically above 20%) are subject to further scrutiny. The editorial
team evaluates the similarity report in context to determine whether the similarities are
acceptable (e.g., references, common phrases) or indicative of plagiarism.

4. Procedures for Handling Plagiarism
When plagiarism is suspected during the editorial or review process, the manuscript is
flagged for manual assessment by the editorial board. The nature, scope, and context of
the similarities are carefully evaluated to determine if ethical standards have been
violated.
Author Notification and Response
Authors will be contacted and presented with the plagiarism report. They are given an
opportunity to respond, clarify, or correct the identified issues. Failure to provide a
satisfactory explanation may result in further action.
Editorial Actions
Depending on the severity of the plagiarism, one or more of the following actions may be
taken:
 Request for manuscript revision with proper citation and attribution.
 Rejection of the manuscript.
 Blacklisting of the author(s) from future submissions to the Journal.
 Notification to affiliated institutions or funding bodies, in extreme cases.
5. Retraction Policy
If plagiarism is discovered after the article has been published, UNMSRJ reserves the
right to retract the article. A formal Retraction Notice will be issued, clearly stating the
reasons for the retraction and identifying the responsible party. The original article will be
marked as retracted in all electronic versions to preserve the transparency and credibility
of the academic record.
6. Commitment to Ethical Publishing
UNMSRJ is committed to upholding academic integrity and expects all authors,
reviewers, and editorial staff to adhere to set guidelines. By maintaining rigorous checks

and promoting awareness, the Journal aims to foster a culture of honesty, transparency, and scholarly excellence.