Frequently Asked Questions

College of Graduate Studies

What is Turnitin?	Turnitin is the Originality Checking service used at Unisa to prevent plagiarism and encourage academic integrity.
Do I have to access Turnitin online?	NO, you do not. Turnitin is integrated with myUnisa (myModules & myExams).
Do I need Turnitin login details (username & password)?	NO, you do not. Since Turnitin is integrated with myUnisa, separate login is NOT necessary.
Do I need a class ID and key to access Turnitin?	NO, you do not. Since Turnitin is integrated with myUnisa, separate access is NOT required.
Do I submit assignments directly to Turnitin?	NO, you do not. Since Turnitin is integrated with myUnisa, an originality check will run automatically.
Do all assignments require originality checking?	NO, they do not. Turnitin is applied for selected assignments only.
Do I have to request Turnitin for assignments?	NO, you do not. Turnitin will run automatically for selected assignments.
Do I have to accept the Turnitin EULA pop-up when uploading an assignment on myUnisa?	YES, you have to. The Turnitin EULA (End User License Agreement) is required to run an originality check for your submissions. Note: You will be asked once only to accept the EULA.
Are submissions stored permanently on Turnitin?	YES, submissions are permanently stored on Turnitin! This is done to protect your work from future plagiarism by others.
Do I have to include a title/cover page for my assignment?	YES, the title page confirms your authorship. UNISA Turnitin submissions are ‘all inclusive’, thus every assignment needs to include a title/cover page (with your name and student number), Note: We cannot protect your authorship without it.
Do I have to include a bibliography/reference list for my assignment?	YES, the bibliography validates the research content in your assignment. UNISA Turnitin submissions are ‘all inclusive’, thus every assignment needs to include a bibliography/reference list. Note: We cannot validate content originality without it.
Can I submit a draft assignment before I upload the final version?	YES, you may submit a draft assignment. This gives you the opportunity to discuss the originality report findings with your lecturer BEFORE making changes for the final version upload.
Will my draft assignment appear as possible plagiarism when I upload the final version?	NO, provided you upload your assignments yourself within the formal Unisa submission space – myUnisa.
How long does it take to generate an originality report?	The Originality Report is generated by Turnitin within 24 hours after receipt from myUnisa.

How will I know if the originality report has been generated successfully?	The Originality Report will be attached to your assignment and the Similarity Index (%) will be displayed.
What is a Turnitin Originality Report?	The Originality Report provides a summary of matching text found in the submitted assignment. The Originality Report reveals the sources of matching text identified. The extent of matching text is indicated by an index of similarity, shown as a percentage. Note: This means the higher the percentage is, the greater the extent of non- original content.
May I view the Originality Report?	YES, Unisa students are permitted to view the originality reports for their assignments.
How do I open the Originality Report?	Click on the Similarity Index (%) block attached to your assignment and the report will open in a new window.
What does the percentage* on the Originality Report mean?*	The percentage shown on the Originality Report is an indication of NON- ORIGINAL content and is NOT a* “ percentage of plagiarism”.*
What is the acceptable percentage for the overall Similarity Index?	The Similarity Index does NOT indicate plagiarism, thus there is NO “acceptable percentage”. Originality Reports are analysed to determine if plagiarism occurred, whether inadvertently or with intent. Plagiarism, if present in the assignment is unacceptable, regardless of the overall Similarity Index! Note: The above means, even when the similarity index or a specific individual match percentage is very low, but portions of blatant plagiarism are found in the text, it is still unacceptable.
What is the acceptable percentage for an Individual Source?	Very important: As a universal rule for all Unisa students, the similarity of submission content to an individual source must be below 5%. Note: Ask your lecturer about conditions under which a certain percentage of matching text may be allowed and how such text must be acknowledged in your assignment.
How do I improve content originality in my assignment? E.g. How do I reduce the index?	Discuss purpose and expectations for the assignment with your lecturer. Improve your academic writing skills to present your own “voice”. Generally, it is not necessary to rework every portion of highlighted text. Your focus should not be to reduce the similarity index, but to give your own interpretation of the study/research done.
Where do I get more information on academic integrity to avoid plagiarism?	Contact your Unisa librarian and consult the library pages on Academic Integrity; Research Ethics; Paraphrasing & Referencing https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/c.php?g=355657&p=2400080
Where do I get details on Originality Reports? E.g. What do the colours mean?	CGS (College of Graduate Studies) hosts regular presentations on Turnitin. Please contact HRTW@unisa.ac.za or access the current schedule online Honours Training Programme (unisa.ac.za)

Last modified: 2023/08/07