Preventing and detecting plagiarism

Preventing & Detecting Plagiarism Using the TurnitinUK plagiarism detection software

RSC South East : 4 July, 2007

Gill Rowell

Advisor, Plagiarism Advisory Service.

Today’s session

• Introductions.• Presentation: introduction to TurnitinUK• Exercise: opportunity to do some plagiarising yourselves!• Exercise: using TurnitinUK.• Discussion: approaches to implementing TurnitinUK.• Opportunity for further questions at the end.

JISCPAS approach to plagiarism prevention

• Unambiguous institutional policies and procedures.• Good academic practice.• Effective study skills.• Preventing and detecting plagiarism via electronic

detection software.

TurnitinUK: the plagiarism detection software

• Accessed via standard web browsers. • Based on US “Turnitin” system.• Customised for the JISC community.• Integrates with Blackboard, WebCT & Moodle.• Athens password access available.• Part of Turnitin’s suite of assessment management tools.

What does TurnitinUK check?

• Several billion unique web pages, including archived pages.

• Database of work submitted by other students in the UK.• 6,000+ journal titles via Gale InfoTrac OneFile and

Emerald.• Student essays provided to coursework.info.• 5,000+ copyright-free electronic books via the

Guttenberg Project.

Process

• Tutor creates class and assignment.• Student (or tutor) submits work.• Report is returned highlighting any matching text.• Judgement as to whether plagiarism has occurred.• Appropriate action taken.

The Originality Report

• Produced in a matter of seconds.• Colour-coded and/or numbered to indicate any matching

text:– direct links to sites.– ability to request a copy of matched paper from academic if

possible collusion has been identified.

• Ability to exclude quotations/bibliography.

Clicking on links will take you to web sites where matching text has been

found.

Uploaded paper is displayed with any matching text

highlighted and numbered.

The role of plagiarism detection software

• Speeds up the process of identifying possible plagiarism.• Can act as a deterrent.• Encourages students to think about correct referencing

and citation.• Can be used as a tool to inform and enhance the

learning process.

But…

• TurnitinUK won’t necessarily highlight all instances of matching text.

• Not a substitute for academic judgement.• Won’t unilaterally solve the problem of student

plagiarism.

Preventing & Detecting Plagiarism Using the TurnitinUK plagiarism detection software

Now let’s do some plagiarising ourselves, and try out TurnitinUK.

Preventing & Detecting Plagiarism Using the TurnitinUK plagiarism detection software

Implementation: some issues to consider

Exercise: questions to ask

• What are the pros and cons of this approach?• Do you agree/disagree with the opinion being voiced? • What would you institution do?

Some things to consider…

• Integration with existing misconduct policies and procedures.

• Clear and consistent advice on use to tutors.• Explain use of TurnitinUK to students.

The formative approach?

• Students submit work themselves.• Students receive feedback on their work.• Students can make multiple draft submissions.• Need for pedagogical support as part of approach.• Recommended for study skills modules at beginning of

students’ academic career.

The summative approach?

• Tutors (or other member of staff) or students submit work.

• Tutors receive report.• Academic judgement required to determine plagiarism.• Can be used in an academic misconduct hearing.

Options for summative screening

• Full-course screening.• Use for suspect work within the context of academic

misconduct/plagiarism policy.• Submit a random sample of all work.

Use via VLE

• Authentication provided by VLE.• Familiar information environment for tutors/students.• Submission process and features same as web

interface.• Reported to increase use of VLE.• Facilitates team teaching.

Preventing & Detecting Plagiarism Using the TurnitinUK plagiarism detection software

Any further questions?