Plagiarism Freeware Software Review

Turnitin VS Freeware

A plagiarism checker is used to verify if a student’s work was uniquely created or copied from another source. The system uses an available database and compares verbiage and phrasing found in the paper and compares the information to preexisting documentation. Based on the system findings, the system determines if the document has been copied from another source.

Turnitin has become the industry leader in plagiarism detection and monitoring. The system is a paid service (no freeware available) which allows access to its features based on the purchased package. The three features of the system are a plagiarism checker, an originality checker and a peer checker to determine if a student has copied the work of another student. With its many features, the system itself does not offer a direct LDAP connection, such as WVUP credentials used on campus. If the system is integrated with an LMS (learning management system), like eCampus, you can use the same login information a student can use their WVUP credentials to access Turnitin.com rather than requiring another set of login credentials.

In the case of a stand-alone system, or pilot program, the software is not connected to any preexisting credentialing system, such as LDAP. Each semester, the instructor is responsible for account creation for each student enrolled in their class who may need to use the program. After the account has been created, the instructor must contact the student with their turnitin username and password. The instructor is also responsible for account maintenance.

It is recommended that Turnitin.com be integrated with the active LMS system to simplify the login process and reduce the instructor maintenance responsibilities. As WVUP is in process of moving to a new LMS system (the current system is being de-supported by WVU by spring 2014), it is the advisable to use a turnitin alternative during this interim period. This report will focus on three freeware plagiarism checkers recommended and how they compare with the features available in turnitIn.

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The interface can be accessed via the internet at: http://www.dustball.com/cs/plagiarism.checker/