NEWS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: 3/25/05

CONTACT: LESLIE SCHALER, COMMUNICATIONS ASST., (413) 545-0162

Library Conducts Trial of Plagiarism Detection Service –

“Turnitin”

~ Through May 28, 2005 ~ 

     Amherst , MA . – The UMass Amherst Library is conducting a trial of Turnitin, a web-based plagiarism detection service, to assess its potential benefit to the campus community. The trial runs through May 28, 2005. The Library will investigate campus funding possibilities based on the level of faculty interest.

     Turnitin.com is a subscription-based plagiarism detection service. Instructors set up a class and add students to it. Student papers are submitted electronically (either by instructors or students). The Turnitin search engine scans the paper searching the following sources:

•  A large database of other student papers (UMass and elsewhere)
•  The web
•  A database maintained by Turnitin.

     Turnitin then generates an “originality report” for each paper submitted. The report shows the percentage of text in the student paper that matches text from other sources. Clicking on a highlighted area in the report lets you view and compare (side-by-side) the paper and the internet source.

     Turnitin is used by thousands of institutions in over fifty countries to promote originality in student work, improve student writing and research skills, encourage collaborative learning, and save valuable instructor time. According to Turnitin's website (www.turnitin.com), “The Internet has made plagiarism easier than ever before. From elementary schools to the highest levels of academia, the ease of downloading and copying ‘untraceable' online information has led to an epidemic of digital plagiarism.”

     Faculty members are asked to send comments on Turnitin by May 28, 2005, to their subject specialist or liaison librarian ( http://www.library.umass.edu/reference/contactal.html ).

The librarian can also advise in the use of the service.

To try this service go to: www.turnitin.com

. Create a user profile by choosing that link at the top of the homepage.
. You are an instructor
o Account ID: 39427
o Password: umassa05
o Enter your email and choose a password

To learn how to use the "Quick Submit" feature:

http://www.library.umass.edu/reference/turnitin_slide show.pdf