Use of plagiarism detection tools

Request 

Hi

I am doing some post grad research and hoped you might be able to help me. This is confidential and I will not name or publish / attribute any of the answers. In order to identify the underlying trend, Ideally, I would like to find out; 

Does the University use any kind of plagiarism detection tools – for example turn-it-in 

If the University does use a plagiarism detection tool, is the similarity/originality report something that internal (or external) assessors can routinely see as part of any assessment?

If the University does use a plagiarism detection tool, please can you tell me the average similarity score for your University for each of the past 3 academic years. – (this would be for example the sum of the similarity scores, divided by the total number of submissions for each of 2018-19, 2017-18 and 2016-17). 

Does the University block attempts to access contract cheating (aka Essay mills) sites from University facilities? (for example, a person trying to access such a site from one of the University’s open access PCs, or using their own PC/Laptop/Phone etc whilst using University WiFi)? 

Does the University or any 3rd party provider used, block attempts to access contract cheating (aka Essay mills) sites from within University provided accommodation facilities? 

Thank-you

Response

Dear Ms..,

I write further to your request for information dated 3 March 2019.  This request has been handled by the University in accordance with its duties and obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 ("FOIA"). 

You requested details of:

Does the University use any kind of plagiarism detection tools – for example turn-it-in 

If the University does use a plagiarism detection tool, is the similarity/originality report something that internal (or external) assessors can routinely see as part of any assessment?

If the University does use a plagiarism detection tool, please can you tell me the average similarity score for your University for each of the past 3 academic years. – (this would be for example the sum of the similarity scores, divided by the total number of submissions for each of 2018-19, 2017-18 and 2016-17).

Does the University block attempts to access contract cheating (aka Essay mills) sites from University facilities? (for example, a person trying to access such a site from one of the University’s open access PCs, or using their own PC/Laptop/Phone etc whilst using University WiFi)?

Does the University or any 3rd party provider used, block attempts to access contract cheating (aka Essay mills) sites from within University provided accommodation facilities?

The University's response is attached FOIA response 32/1384 .

If you are not satisfied with the handling of your request, you may request an internal review.  Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your original letter by writing to:

Chris Ince
University Secretary
London Metropolitan University
166-220 Holloway Road
London
N7 8DB
 
Email: c.ince@londonmet.ac.uk
 
If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have a right of appeal to the Information Commissioner at:
 
The Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
 
Telephone: 0303 123 1113 or 01625 545745
Website: www.ico.org.uk
 
There is no charge for making an appeal.

Kind regards,

Tracy Brathwaite
Information Compliance Officer
University Secretary's Office
London Metropolitan University
166-220 Holloway Road
London N7 8DB

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