4 Understanding the similarity report

When you upload a draft to Turnitin, it produces a similarity report. This highlights parts of your work that are similar to other sources in its database.

Figure 5 shows part of a Turnitin report. In this example, 31% of this students word count has been matched to sources other than this assessment, such as webpages and course materials.

Number 1 is a match to another student's submission, number 2 is a 7% match to course materials and number 3 is a match to a webpage.

Maximise

Figure 5 A Turnitin report shows matched sources

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Screenshot showing a Turnitin report. On the left-hand side is part of an essay. Some of the text is highlighted in red, blue and green. Other parts of the text are left unhighlighted. The highlighted areas also have a corresponding number next to them.

Next to the essay in the centre of the screen is a tool bar.

On the right-hand of the screen is the ‘Match Overview’. It displays 31% in bold red then beneath is a list from 1 to 5. Each number is coloured differently and has a title, either ‘publication’ or ‘internet source’ or ‘student paper’ written underneath, and a percentage next to it.

A large arrow points from the essay to the 31%.

Figure 5 A Turnitin report shows matched sources

Remember, the similarity percentage is not a plagiarism score. The percentage score is a simple calculation between the assessment word count and the number of words that have been matched. For example, if the assessment word count is 1000 words and your match is 100 words, it will show on the Turnitin report as 10%. What matters is how you interpret the report. Here, we’ll break down how the report in Figure 5 could be interpreted and solutions you could take.

1. Number 1 has been highlighted in red and matches another student’s work that has previously been submitted to Turnitin. The student who is matched also studies with The Open University.

   The problem: this section is poorly paraphrased.

   The solution: try to use your own words and the three steps for easy paraphrasing (see Section 6 of course).

2. Number 2 is matched to the course materials, but it also contains the title of a document that is frequently cited in education, health and other courses at The Open University.

   The problem: this section is not quoted and is not paraphrased and so it has been matched to content from the course materials.

   The solution: this section should be identified as a direct quotation from the course materials even though the name of the policy document cannot be changed. There should be a citation for this section.

3. Number 3 is matched to an internet website which could be referenced and cited correctly. If the website has been acknowledged you won’t need to change anything in your work.

Now have a go at interpreting a Turnitin report yourself in Activity 1.

Activity 1 Interpreting a Turnitin report

Timing: Allow approximately 20 minutes

Look at Figures 6 and 7 which, combined, show a similarity report from Turnitin. Review each match and identify which you would need to correct and which are acceptable. What changes would you need to make?

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Figure 6 Submitted text to Turnitin

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A screenshot of a passage of text. Large parts of the text are highlighted in red, pink, blue and purple.

The red text is labelled with a ‘1’. The pink text is labelled with a ‘2’. The purple text is labelled with a ‘3’. The blue text is labelled with a ‘4’

Figure 6 Submitted text to Turnitin

Figure 7 The Match Overview of a similarity report on Turnitin

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A zoomed in image of the ‘Match Overview’ in a Turnitin report. At the top are the words ‘Match Overview’ and then directly underneath is 59% in bold red. Beneath this percentage is a list from 1 to 4. Number 1 is in red text and reads ‘1 Submitted to Open Uni…. Student Paper. 27%’. Number 2 is in pink text and reads ‘2 E104 An Introduction t…. Publication. 22%’. Number 3 is in purple text and reads ‘3 Victoria Cooper, Mimi T... Publication. 5%.’ Number 4 is in blue text and reads ‘4 E104 unit 13 adolescen.... Publication. 3%’.

To the left of the ‘Match Overivew’ is a website tool bar. The first icon is a layer icon and is blue. The second icon also shows a layer icon, but this is coloured red and has the number 59 underneath the icon. The third icon is a downloads icon and the fourth icon is an information icon.

Figure 7 The Match Overview of a similarity report on Turnitin

To use this interactive functionality a free OU account is required. Sign in or register.

Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

Discussion

1. Number 1 has been highlighted in red and matches another student’s work that has previously been submitted to Turnitin. The student who is matched also studies with The Open University.

   The problem: this section is poorly paraphrased course materials that multiple students have submitted.

   The solution: try to use your own words and the three steps for easy paraphrasing (see Section 6 of course).

2. Number 2 (highlighted in pink) is matched directly to the course materials, but it also contains words and phrases that are not easily paraphrased. This happens with nouns and names.

   The problem: this section is not quoted and is not paraphrased and so it has been matched to content from the course materials.

   The solution: this section should be identified as a direct quotation from the course materials.

3. Number 3 (highlighted in purple) is matched to a chapter within the course materials and the textbook. It is cited and quoted correctly.

4. Number 4 (highlighted in blue) is a match to a chapter within the course.

   The problem: this match is not quoted and there is not citation present despite it being copied word for word.

   The solution: there must be acknowledgement that this is not unique text and therefore a citation is needed in text and a reference at the end of the assessment.