FAQs: Understanding Plagiarism and Similarity Reports

Q: What exactly is plagiarism?

A: Plagiarism means using someone else's words, ideas, or creative work without properly giving them credit. This can include:

• Copying text directly without using quotation marks and a citation.
• Paraphrasing another person's work too closely without proper attribution
• Submitting work previously completed by someone else.
• Using another's ideas or concepts without acknowledgment.

Q: Why are plagiarism checkers important?

A: Plagiarism checkers help in the following ways:

• Protect your academic integrity: These tools flag potential instances of plagiarism, helping you avoid serious consequences.
• Improve your writing: Reviewing similarity reports can help you understand how to correctly cite and paraphrase sources, developing your writing skills.
• Uphold research ethics: Avoiding plagiarism demonstrates your commitment to original scholarship and the value of others' work.

Q: What is a similarity report?

A: A similarity report generated by a plagiarism checker compares your writing against a vast database of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.). It highlights sections of your work that closely match existing text.

Q: How do I interpret a similarity report?

A: Here's what to remember:

• Similarity percentage: This doesn't automatically mean plagiarism. Review flagged sections carefully, paying attention to your citations and paraphrasing.
• Sources Matched: Identify where the similarities originate. Did you properly cite your sources? Are commonly used phrases flagged?
• Your own voice: Make sure your own ideas and analysis are represented clearly throughout the work, even when using research.

Q: What if my similarity report shows a high percentage?

A: Don't panic! Here's what you can do:

• Review flagged sections: Carefully examine each highlighted area to determine if proper citations are missing or if your paraphrasing could be improved.
• Revise and resubmit: Work on correcting issues. Consider getting help from your instructor or the library for advice on proper citation and paraphrasing techniques.

Q: Where can I access plagiarism checking tools?

A: Our research administration department houses a comprehensive LIB-Guide that focuses on essential resources to assist in proposals and grant submissions, in there is the access request form / link for iThenticate, after due process access will either be granted / denied.