Turnitin (Tii) is an anti-plagiarism detection system that compares text within a document to archived papers within the Tii database and the World Wide Web. For example, all universities build their own databases over a period of time. Hence papers submitted, will first be checked within the local Tii repository, prior to checking similarity text on the World Wide Web. Reports are generated within a one to twenty-four (1HR-24HRS) hours window period. The University of the Western Cape implemented the use of Tii in 2008 to deter academic dishonesty.
Traditional text review methods would require lecturers to copy-paste text into Google or the Google scholar search engine. Lecturers would repeat this process for each student submission. This method is cumbersome and one is unable to access soft copies within paid websites.
The use of the ‘Originality Check Tool’ has increased across faculties and is the most requested tool within Tii.
NB: However, we have had issues with students who tried to manipulate reports by editing the content within their paper submissions. These issues are easily detectable if papers are manipulated to reduce the similarity index. The lecturer is able to prevent and detect these issues which will be shown during training.
The Originality Check tool creates an ‘Originality Report’, indicating:
- Colour codes to show comparisons, and
- Matches found are displayed in list format.
It should be noted that CIECT offers training to staff on how to use the Turnitin platform. Our next scheduled Turnitin training will be facilitated on 24 March 2020, 9:30am. Please feel free to book via the iEnabler system.
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