Soon, an Internet-based plagiarism detection software will help the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) catch copycats and identify ‘lifted passages’ and ‘cut and paste’ jobs in the theses submitted by its researchers.
The varsity is ready with a proposal to procure the ‘iThenticate’ anti-plagiarism software in its latest crackdown against cheating while preparing research theses and scholarly journals. “We want to curb the menace and implement a professional system to check plagiarism. Directions have been given to purchase a cutting-edge software that would not only help detect plagiarism but also help researchers bring out original work,” said Dr. J. Letha, Vice Chancellor.
The university library has come up with a proposal to buy the ‘iThenticate’ software that compare documents to a vast database of content for plagiarism and attribution using its plagiarism checker technology. The decision to adopt the software tool came after experts found that depending on free software solutions often hampered the detection process owing to the limitations in searching a comprehensive database.
Library’s role
“iThenticate has tie-ups with leading publishers and its database also includes academic research papers and several repositories of research journals and scholarly papers. Researchers will have the opportunity to check their output on a periodical basis by using the software and avoid all possible chances of plagiarism,” said Dr. C. Beena, University Librarian.
“The varsity library will play a facilitator role by giving proper guidance on how to attribute the published sources. Plagiarism occurs mostly when researchers fail to cite the source properly. With the introduction of the anti-plagiarism software, such errors could be rectified,” she added.
Cusat has plans to strengthen the process of submission of research theses to avoid plagiarism by stepping up monitoring and tracking of content in each research work. Researchers will have to provide their theses for plagiarism check using the latest software. Testing of documents will be done from the writing stage and not after the submission of the theses.
The move forms part of the renewed efforts made by the University Grants Commission to catch copycats. The apex regulator had earlier asked the varsities in the country to come up with their own guidelines to check plagiarism besides evolving a plagiarism prevention policy.
Directions have been given to purchase a cutting-edge software that would not only help detect plagiarism but also help researchers bring out original work, says Dr. J. Letha, Vice Chancellor
