Turnitin is text matching software used by Federation University to assist with maintaining academic integrity. When you submit an assignment through Moodle, Turnitin scans and analyses your document, comparing it against:
- Online content such as websites, blogs, and published articles
- Academic journals and books
- Work previously submitted by other students
It’s important to remember that the similarity percentage is not a measure of plagiarism. A high percentage may simply reflect correctly cited quotes or common discipline-specific terms, while a low percentage does not guarantee that all sources have been properly referenced. The key is to always check the matches and ensure that all borrowed ideas and text are correctly cited.
Turnitin also helps support academic integrity. It encourages you to:
- Cite all sources, even when paraphrasing
- Avoid copying work without acknowledgment
Turnitin's iThenticate is used for the same purpose for higher degree by research (HDR) students.
Generative AI Detection is another feature within Turnitin. The software can identify if AI tools have been used in your submission. Always check with your lecturer to see if the use of AI is allowed for your assessment, as using AI without approval may breach academic integrity rules.
By using Turnitin, you are not just checking for matches, you are learning to produce original, well-referenced work while receiving guidance on improving your academic writing.
Turnitin End User License Agreement (EULA)
Prior to submitting an assignment through Turnitin in Moodle, students are required to read and agree to the Turnitin End User License Agreement (EULA). This is a one time requirement for each student, unless the EULA is updated.
The EULA explains:
- How your submission is used and stored – Turnitin keeps your work in its database to compare with future submissions.
- Your rights and responsibilities – you retain copyright over your work and are responsible for submitting your own original work.
- Turnitin’s obligations – Turnitin protects your privacy and follows strict guidelines on how your content is managed.
- Conditions for using the software – you must agree to the terms to submit your assignment online.
How to accept the EULA
- When you submit an assignment for the first time, a window will appear displaying the EULA
- Read the information and then click Accept
- Once the EULA is accepted, submit your work through Turnitin. Your agreement will apply to all future submissions.
Turnitin uses the EULA to ensure that your work is handled securely and that you understand the purpose of similarity checking and plagiarism detection. By agreeing, you can confidently submit and access the Similarity Report and Feedback Studio.
Important: If you decline the EULA, you cannot submit online via Moodle. You will need to arrange an alternative submission method with your Unit Coordinator, such as email or in person submission.
Click here more information on Turnitin at Fed.