Guidelines for Using Turnitin

The following Guidelines (approved by LTB, 18 October 2006, Paper 42/2006 refers) have been drawn up with particular consideration being given to the following objectives:

  • to ensure student equity
  • to ensure that students have a clear understanding of the issues and procedures involved
  • to promote academic integrity
  • to encourage the development of good academic practice
  • to support the development of good academic scholarship and learning
  • to avoid a punitive, policing approach to the improvement of student academic writing

Guidelines

  1. Module Preparation

    1. if you intend to use Turnitin, ensure all student information is updated accordingly
    2. your module(s) documentation is valid, if not, seek revalidation
    3. ensure you are familiar with the Turnitin service and University academic misconduct procedures.
  2. Student Induction

    1. notify your students that you intend to use the Turnitin service
    2. explain to students what “Turnitin” is and how it operates and why you wish to use it
    3. ensure your students understand that Turnitin will not be used at an individual, per student, basis
    4. ensure that students are aware of their rights under the Data Protection Act and IPR
    5. ensure that your students are familiar with University academic misconduct procedures.
  3. Using the Turnitin Service

    1. do not use Turnitin as a random sampling tool
    2. use Turnitin on per assignment/module basis: assignments should not be selected on a per student basis – the whole cohort should be put through the service if plagiarism is suspected even if only in one paper
    3. ensure that your students have at least one formative experience with Turnitin before using the service on summative assignments
    4. do not use the Turnitin originality report or its percentage value as an indicator of plagiarism; use your academic judgement when determining an incidence of plagiarism after careful consideration of the originality report and sources of matched text
    5. do not use Turnitin in isolation. Turnitin is one tool to use in the deterrence and detection of plagiarism. It should be used in conjunction with a holistic approach to plagiarism as per LTB paper 30/2006.
  4. Dealing with Suspected Plagiarism
    Ensure you follow University academic misconduct procedures as per General Regulation V.3 Academic Discipline, in Annex 10, Academic Discipline: Procedures. See Academic Policies