Staff guide for reviewing HDR student documents using iThenticate

IThenticate is a web-based text matching tool that enables the originality of written work to be checked prior to publication/submission. The purpose of this guide is provide an overview of how iThenticate can be used as a learning tool for both UQ staff and Higher Degree Research (HDR) candidates if concerns are raised regarding academic integrity. It is important to note that, unlike Turnitin, iThenticate does NOT store a copy of documents uploaded, within its database.

How do I access iThenticate?

All staff and HDR candidates have access to iThenticatevia single sign-on:

The Similarity Report

When a document is uploaded to iThenticate, a similarity report is produced that indicates the percentage of text that matches text within the database. If a match is found in the text between submitted and existing work, iThenticate will highlight this text and summarise the match on the similarity report.

Text that has been properly quoted and cited may also be highlighted but may not necessarily be a problem. However, every highlighted section will need to be checked it has been properly quoted, summarised or paraphrased.

iThenticate does not check for plagiarism. If there are instances where the writing is similar to, or matches against, one of the sources in the database, this will be flagged for review.

The match breakdown, in the document viewer, shows the list of sources found in the match overview and reveals any additional sources that overlap the same matching content contained within the match overview source.

If the work uses direct quotes and these are referenced correctly, there will still be instances where a match will be found. The similarity score raises awareness of potential problem areas in the document; this can then be used as a tool as a part of a larger process, in order to determine if the match was acceptable.

Watch a walkthrough of the Document Viewer

What does the similarity score (percentage) mean?

The similarity percentage indicates the percentage of text found that matches published documents or web pages.

What similarity score (%) indicates a problem?

There is no magic number that will indicate whether a document contains problematic content. You will need to look beyond the percentage and consider the similarity report in more detail as the score itself does not provide a definitive answer whether or not you have a case of plagiarism.

Any matches found should be checked by reading through the matched text while considering the following:

  1. Quotation and referencing – ensure that the matching source is correctly referenced and enclosed in quotation marks
  2. Paraphrasing – is the highlighted text inadequately paraphrased?
  3. Common words and phrases – commonly used jargon/terminology may be matched which should be taken into account when reviewing the report
  4. Images and figures – iThenticate cannot detect images and figures from other sources. These will need to be visually scrutinized.

Where the match appears can sometimes be more important than how big the match is. For example; in methods sections, there may be limited ways to describe a particular process therefore there may be less concerns about sizable matches. However, matches in the discussion or conclusions that are not appropriately cited could potentially be a problem even though these matches account for a small percentage of the document.

What is considered an acceptable threshold for one document, may not be acceptable for another e.g. Review articles may have a higher overall similarity score than original research articles.

Document reviewing tips:

  1. The distribution of text matches is more important than the overall similarity index value.
  2. Look for blocks of matching text - where most of a sentence or paragraph is matching (even if not all words match).
  3. In-text citations or short technical terms are usually acceptable.
  4. As a general rule, you can ignore highlighted text from:
  • Reference lists or bibliography;
  • Quotations/block quotations that are properly cited and discussed within the text;
  • Titles and tables of contents.

Forms of plagiarism

1.Copying

a.Verbatim / direct copying

This is copying word-for-word from someone else’s work without acknowledging the source and without quotation marks. This includes diagrams, images and photos.

b.Mosaic copying / Scaffolding

Is copying the structure and ideas of another person without acknowledging the source.

c.Recycling / duplication

This is work submitted that has been previously used as assessment for another course or program. This includes work published prior to candidature. Copying from one’s own work is the same as copying the work of others. This is often referred to as self-plagiarism or multiple submission.

  1. Paraphrasing
  2. Inadequate paraphrasing

This happens when the writer tries to explain another author's ideas in their own words, but the wording remains similar to the original text. This is poor scholarship and amounts to plagiarism.

  1. Uncited paraphrase

When someone else’s work is paraphrased and the source is not acknowledged or cited.

  1. Misrepresenting and misquoting

Is citing a source when the text was not obtained from that source. This is poor scholarship.

What if I have concerns regarding the HDR candidate’s iThenticate report?

Any concerns should be discussed with the candidate in the first instance for possible remedial action. Remedial action could include counselling and/or requesting that the candidate repeat the research integrity module. You may wish to discuss these options with your Postgraduate Coordinator.

If you wish to report concerns about the conduct of the candidate, please refer to the required process detailed in the Research Misconduct Higher Degree by Research Students policy (PPL 4.20.10).

Further advice can also be sought from the Graduate School Integrity Officer

Resources

PPL 4.20.10 – Research Misconduct – Research Higher Degree Students

PPL 3.60.04-Student Integrity and Misconduct

Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research

Elsevier plagiarism quick guide

Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

iThenticate FAQs

UQ iThenticate user guide

iThenticate similarity Report FAQs

iThenticate user manual

Last updated 24 November 2017