View Turnitin Similarity Report

Turnitin's Similarity Report is a valuable tool that helps you ensure academic integrity in your assignments. This guide will walk you through how to view the Turnitin Similarity Report in D2L Brightspace and interpret the similarity score. Note: A Turnitin Similarity Report will only be available for specific Assignments where your instructor has enabled it.

Step 1: Access the Assignment

1. Log in to D2L Brightspace: Start by logging into your D2L Brightspace account using your username and password.
2. Navigate to Assignments: From your course home page, click on "Assignments" in the course navigation bar to view your list of assignments.
3. Select the Report: On the Assignments page you should see a turn it in similarity score next to each assignment your instructor has enabled turn it in for. Click the score to open the Similarity Report.

Step 2: View the Turnitin Similarity Report

1. Find the Similarity Score Icon: In the D2L Assignment Inbox, locate the Similarity Score icon next to your submitted file. The icon will display a percentage that represents the similarity score of your submission.
2. Open Turnitin Feedback Studio: Click on the Similarity Score icon to open the Turnitin Feedback Studio, where you can view detailed feedback and the Similarity Report.

Step 3: Understand the Similarity Score

Here is a helpful video that breaks down the Similarity Score: Understanding the Turnitin Similarity Report: The new experience for students

1. Similarity Score Explanation: The similarity score is the percentage of text in your submission that matches other sources in Turnitin's database. This includes web pages, academic papers, and student submissions.
• Important Note: Turnitin does not detect plagiarism. The similarity score indicates matches to other content, which you need to review to determine if any academic misconduct has occurred.
2. Color-Coded Score Ranges:
• Blue (0%): No matching text.
• Green (1-24%): Low similarity, typically includes common phrases or properly cited quotes.
• Yellow (25-49%): Moderate similarity, may include more substantial content matches.
• Orange (50-74%): High similarity, indicating a significant amount of matched content.
• Red (75-100%): Very high similarity, indicating that most of the text matches other sources.

Step 4: Review and Interpret the Report

1. Review Matched Text: In the Turnitin Feedback Studio, you can see which parts of your submission matched other sources. These matches are highlighted in the text.
• Checkmarks: Indicate the answers you provided.
• X's: Indicate text that matches other sources but was not cited or paraphrased properly.
• Arrows: Show the correct or expected content as identified by Turnitin.
2. Consider the Context: Even if your submission has a high similarity score, it doesn't necessarily mean it’s plagiarized. Review the highlighted sections:
• Quoted Text: Ensure that all quotations are properly cited.
• Bibliography/References: These are often flagged as matches, which is normal.
• Reused Content: If you’ve reused your previous work, this might be flagged. Make sure it’s appropriate for the assignment.
3. Understand Scoring Scenarios:
• High Similarity with Proper Citations: If your score is high due to properly cited sources, your instructor might not view this as an issue.
• Unintentional Collusion: If your work matches closely with a peer’s, it could indicate unintentional or intentional collaboration.
• Reused Submissions: If you’ve submitted drafts, multiple submissions can lead to higher scores.

Step 5: Contact Your Instructor if Needed

1. Discuss the Report: If you have concerns about your similarity score or if something seems unclear, reach out to your instructor for clarification.

Request Adjustments: In cases where quotes or references have inflated your similarity score, your instructor can adjust the settings in Turnitin to exclude these from the report.