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detecting plagiarism

Options are available to educators to detect plagiarism. However, be it intuition or suspicion, normally there is some type of indicator or clue that plagiarism has been committed. Thus, if you suspect a student has plagiarized an assignment, some aspect of the paper raised your doubts regarding its originality. The indicators below should alert faculty of possible plagiarism of an assignment.

• The quality of writing is not consistent with the student's previous work.
• The writing is not consistent throughout the paper.
• Text that sounds too complex or jargon-filled is not quoted or cited.
• The appearance (i.e., font, format) of the paper is not consistent.
• Links or URLs are present in the paper, or at the top or bottom of the printed pages.
• The topic of the paper is different from the topic previously discussed or approved.
• The paper does not match the original assignment.
• References cited are old or appear too specialized for the library's holdings.
• Few or none of the items referenced are in the library's holdings.

The Next Step

• Check the library's holdings for materials referenced in the paper.
• Request that the student provide a written sample or a private oral presentation on the research.
• Request that the student provide research materials used to write the paper.
• Perform a search on Google.com, Lycos.com, or Metacrawler.com using an unusual phrase or a quote from the paper.
• Consult an Internet term paper mill site which lists papers and essays that are available for purchase or for free. Subject specific term paper mill sites are also available for searching.
• Consult A Faculty Guide to Cyber-Plagiarism or Cyberplagiarism: Detection and Prevention for further assistance on detecting plagiarism.
• Access one of the detection software programs below to search the term paper.
• Ask A Librarian for assistance or visit the Sampson-Livermore Library Reference Desk.

Detection Programs

• EVE 2.3: Plagiarism Detection for Teachers! *Free trial copy for 15 days; unlimited use is $19.99.
• Glatt Plagiarism Program Offers plagiarism detection software.
• Google.com Search engine providing Web sites on plagiarism prevention and detection.
• Internet Paper Mills Extensive list of paper mill sites offering free or fee-based pre-written term papers. A subject specific paper mill site is also available.
• Plagiarism.org and Turnitin.com Compares submitted text against materials on term paper mill sites. Free trial available; excellent prevention resources and information.
• MyDropBox.com Technology designed to prevent and detect Internet plagiarism provides a free trial and institutional pricing. Offers SafeAssignment, the only plagiarism detection solution available on the market designed specifically for the Blackboard™ Learning System.

Detection Resources

• A Faculty Guide to Cyber-Plagiarism by Tami OliphantUniversity of Alberta Libraries (*Excellent!)
• Internet Paper Mills by Margaret Fain, Kimbel Library, Coastal Carolina University
• Tracing Web Plagiarism: A Guide For Teachers by David Alan Black, Seton Hall University

Some information concerning plagiarism and suggestions for its prevention and detection were confirmed or enhanced from a variety of sources, all of which are listed in the following bibliography.

Updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2011

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