# Interpreting Turnitin and iThenticate similarity

Decision workbook and teaching example · 2026-10-06

The completed case is fictional. Its values and decisions are not actual findings; complete your project using relevant permissions, methods and requirements.

- Project: ____________________
- Researcher and role: ____________________
- Date and version: ____________________
- Data seen before the decision: ____________________
- Aim and scope: ____________________

## Completed example

| Stage/decision | Example | Check or action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Input | Fixed text version and settings | Is the submission recorded? |
| Legitimate match | Reference title or attributed quote | Is attribution correct? |
| Problem match | Unattributed paragraph | Were wording and idea origins examined? |
| Correction | Understood paraphrase and citation | Is it more than word substitution? |
| Review | Matches and action log | Does it meet the outlet policy? |

## Complete your own record

| Topic | Actual decision and reason | Evidence link and status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Input | __________ | __________ |
| Legitimate match | __________ | __________ |
| Problem match | __________ | __________ |
| Correction | __________ | __________ |
| Review | __________ | __________ |

## Completion checks

- [ ] Produce a match-by-match interpretation and documented correction record.

## Changes and limitations

| Date | Change | Data known at decision time | Reason | Consequence for claim | Reviewer |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |

## Sources and further reading

- [iThenticate — Understanding the Similarity Report](https://guides.ithenticate.com/hc/en-us/articles/27842305774605-Understanding-the-Similarity-Report)
- [APA Style — Reference examples](https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples)
- [ICMJE — Roles of authors and contributors](https://www.icmje.org/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/defining-the-role-of-authors-and-contributors.html)

Related guide: https://didgar-research-site1.vercel.app/en/guides/similarity-check/