1.
UoN Turnitin Similarity Checker &
Plagiarism Policy
Library and Information services
Librarian-law@uonbi.ac.ke
Macharia, S M

2.
 To enlighten on academic integrity in relation to scholarly
writing and research activities.
 To explain meaning of plagiarism in regards to University’s
scholarly writing and research activities.
 To outline key components of the University of Nairobi
Plagiarism Policy .
 To enlighten on Turntin software for Plagiarism & Similarity
Checking.
Specific objectives

3.
 UoN produces massive academic output in form of scholarly
work. To ensure scholarly excellence and ethical practices in
teaching, research and Consultancy, the UoN is committed to
curbing plagiarism, hence developed an institutional policy
on plagiarism.
 Academic Integrity and ethical practices are key in the
execution of academic programs, creation and dissemination
of research knowledge.
 Turnitin Software is the Online detecting tool while UoN
Plagiarism policy is the internal institutional reference tool
Introduction

4.
 Its the meaningful and concerted effort to ensure concern for
human dignity, honesty, trust, fairness, truthfulness, accuracy,
respect and responsibility in teaching, research and
community engagement. The 5 fundamental values of AI
Academic Integrity-Explained I

5.
 Academic integrity transgressions includes;
Cheating: representing someone else's work as your own
 Falsification: manipulating research materials, data such
that the outcome is not accurately represented
 Fabrication: making up data or results
Plagiarism: presenting someone else's work or ideas
as your own, with or without their consent
Tools to enhance academic integrity
1. Plagiarism policy & Research ethic practices
2. Plagiarism similarity check- Turnitin software , etc
3. Use of referencing tools- zotero, Refworks, Mendley
Academic Integrity-
Explained II

6.
 Ways to demonstrate honesty: Be truthful, give credit to the
owner of the works used & providing factual evidence.
 Ways to demonstrate trust: Promote transparency in values,
processes & outcomes.
 Ways to demonstrate fairness: Apply rules and policies
consistently & take responsibility for your own actions.
 Ways to demonstrate respect: Accept that others’ thoughts
and ideas are worth recognition.
 Ways to demonstrate responsibility: Know & follow
institutional rules and conduct codes
Academic Integrity-
Actions

7.
What is plagiarism
 ‘Merriam-Webster Dictionary’: “The act of using another
person's words or ideas without giving credit to that person”
 (Oxford English Dictionary, 2000). “Its the action or practice of
taking someone else’s intellectual work, idea, etc., and
passing it off as one's own”.
 When writer deliberately uses someone else’s language, ideas,
or other original material without acknowledging its source’.
 Taking credit for anyone else's work is unethical in academic,
whether done intentionally or otherwise
 The act is - simply literary referred to theft & crime in
academics

8.
1.Destroyed students' reputation- An academic misconduct remarks
marked in official record to reflect the ethical offense.
 Mistrusted and lost confidence from instructors/peers. Leading to
an environment of broken trust
2.Destroyed Professional reputation--damage from it can follows one
for entire professional career casting doubt on ones ethics/
integrity
 Tainted suitability and compromised ones self-esteem
3. Destroyed academic reputation- Publishing is an integral part of a
prestigious academic career.
To lose the ability to publish is regrettable, can ruin academic
career
Consequences of plagiarism

9.
4. Legal process -An author has the right to sue for plagiarism
5. Academic sanctions–
Failed/rejection of an assignment
Lower grade/No scores awarded
 Course failure
Suspension
 Dismissal
 Degree can be revoked/recalled. if it is later discovered
plagiarized occurred- investigation on plagiarism isn't time
restricted.
Consequences of plagiarism
II

10.
 Formulation/enforcing plagiarism policy-- key to academic
integrity in scholarly writing and publishing.
 Educating/creating awareness to students and staff on
academic integrity & plagiarism.
 Online repository for institutional scholarly research and
writing- UoN has digital repository managed & maintained by
Library Department. Academic integrity testing is key.
 Enhanced/enriched/ capacity building on academic writing,
referencing, online referencing tools and citation techniques.
Strategies for curbing
plagiarism

11.
 Policy was established in March 2013 being a product
of thorough review of existing policies(international
& regional practices) related to plagiarism
 Ushered in an Institutionalized standard framework
for addressing plagiarism & issues related to
academic integrity for UoN community.
UoN Plagiarism Policy

12.
 Its objectives
 Scope covered-subjected to the policy
 Forms of plagiarism– Major and the Minor
 Detecting plagiarism
 Dealing with plagiarism– the procedures
 Penalties
 Prevention
 Essential forms included –Appendix I - IV
UoN Plagiarism Policy

13.
PLAGIARISM TOLERANCE LEVEL
 Level not exceeding 15% similarity index report
from the approved Turnitin online software
 Works above 15% threshold should be improved
with the supervisors’ guidance.
 UoN digital repository upload only works which
have been approved and passed the integrity
testing using Turnitin software

14.
 It’s a leading originality checking and plagiarism prevention
service; UoN has subscribed and acquired licenses
 Used by other reputable Universities world-wide
 It checks submitted writings for citation mistakes or
inappropriate copying.
 It identify similarities/text matching of submitted works to
existing sources/writings.
 Instructors/Lecturers-create classes/assignments to manage
and assess submitted works .
Turnitin similarity
check system

15.
 Plagiarism is a lie and it deprives original creators the rewards
for their work. No industry or culture that values originality
can afford to take plagiarism lightly. UoN is no exception
 Advancement in technology aids in detecting these vices, thus
need for maximum and responsible use of it
 UoN provides Online(Turnitin similarity checking) tool for
aiding the detection of plagiarism and progressive
improvement.
 However, expertise's judgment and monitoring at
supervisory level by the supervisor in dealing with the vice
remains unsubstantiated.
Conclusion

16.
 No one is immune from ethical and legal ramifications of
plagiarism. Case of Martin Luther King dissertation of 1955 at
Boston University- Plagiarism confirmed in 1991
 Academic integrity and intellectual honesty as outlined in
UoN policy is key to scholarly excellence and genuine
intellectual growth/ frontier of new knowledge
End of presentation and thank you
Conclusion--II