Similarity check for written work
The University checks for text similarity in written work using the Electronic Similarity Detection System (ESAS) tool in the Online Learning System.
Important: the lecturer may choose to additionally check the work using the Turnitin tool, which is being TESTED in the autumn semester of 2025/2026.
The Turnitin Plagiarism Detection Tool automatically checks for similarity in all written works uploaded to the University’s Online Learning System. To activate the checking function, the lecturer and student must perform the following steps:
Lecturer:
- in the Online Learning System, create a task with the Turnitin Plagiarism Detection Tool function activated in your module;
- assign students whose written work shall be checked to the created task;
- determine by selecting the appropriate option whether or not the students shall be able to see the results of the similarity check;
- inform the students about the assignment, its deadlines, and the rights regarding the similarity check granted;
- when reviewing the similarity report, the lecturer shall provide their comments for the students using the ‘Comment’ function.
Turnitin instructions for lecturers are available in Lithuanian.
Student:
- upload your work to the task created for text similarity check in the relevant module in the Online Learning System;
- review the lecturer’s comments and notes;
- if permitted, edit, correct, and re-upload the work.
Turnitin instructions for students (information is being prepared).
In the text similarity report, Turnitin provides the percentage of text similarity and highlights (colours) the parts of the text that match other sources, i.e. previously published works by the same author or other authors. Additionally, it provides links to the matched sources, as well as information about paraphrasing and inappropriate citation.
Important: The Plagiarism Detection Tool only identifies parts of the text that match other sources, but does not analyse the content of the work. The quality of students’ work is assessed and possible plagiarism is determined by lecturers who are familiar with the results of the similarity report.
Important: There may be similarities detected in the works that are not considered a case of plagiarism, but there must be no instances of plagiarism in the works. A high percentage of similarities may indicate that the work was not done independently.
Text similarity checkers only check for similarity in text, but cannot detect matches in non-text information (e.g. images, photos, drawings, etc.).
As mentioned above, some text similarities are not considered plagiarism, e.g.: individual words or sentences of general nature; general knowledge (facts) that does not need to be cited; reference lists, source descriptions, in-text citations; terms and names; quotations (exact excerpts provided in quotation marks, with source indicated, no longer than a paragraph, or a block quotation if consisting of 40 words or more) etc.
About Turnitin
If you have any questions regarding Turnitin procedures, please contact us at dziuljeta.griskute@lsu.lt. |