PASTECH (Proceedings of Automotive Science and Technology) applies zero tolerance for plagiarism and related research misconduct. This policy defines plagiarism, explains similarity screening practices, and outlines possible actions when misconduct is suspected or confirmed.
Plagiarism is the use or close imitation of another work’s text, ideas, data, visuals, or structure without proper acknowledgment and presenting it as original. It includes verbatim copying, insufficient paraphrasing, using ideas/data without citation, copying figures/tables, and translation plagiarism.
Submissions must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.
Verbatim or near-verbatim material must be clearly distinguished and fully cited.
Third-party materials (figures, tables, photos, diagrams) may require permission and must be properly credited.
Submissions are checked using iThenticate or equivalent similarity detection tools when deemed necessary. Similarity reports are assessed in context by editors; a similarity score alone does not prove plagiarism.
Guideline approach to similarity (excluding references/bibliography and properly cited quoted text):
Above 35%: May be rejected due to excessive similarity.
20–35%: May be returned for revision and resubmission.
Below 20%: May proceed; additional improvements may still be requested.
Figures, graphs, images, and similar materials must not be altered in ways that misrepresent information. Adding/removing features, improper merging, selective hiding, or artificial enhancement is unacceptable. Such issues may lead to rejection during review or correction/retraction after publication.
Reuse of authors’ previously published materials must be transparent. Reused text/figures/tables must be properly cited, permissions obtained where required, and reuse clearly disclosed. Extensive overlap may be treated as serious misconduct.
High overlap with work under review elsewhere or already published may be treated as serious misconduct. If a prior version exists (e.g., abstract, report, earlier proceedings), it must be disclosed and differences clearly stated. Translations of previously published works must disclose the original publication and obtain necessary permissions.
Depending on severity, PASTECH may request explanations, require revisions, pause evaluation, reject the manuscript, issue post-publication corrections/retractions, and restrict future submissions in repeated serious cases.
Authors are fully responsible for originality, integrity of the content, and proper citation practices.