Plagiarism

Plagiarism Detection at Western

Western offers SimCheck by TurnItIn as a plagiarism detection tool integrated in Canvas, our learning management system. This tool provides faculty and students with an optional tool for formative feedback and originality-checking and basic AI or generative writing detection services. 

For details, see How to Create a SimCheck-enabled Assignment in Canvas.

What is SimCheck? 

SimCheck is a plagiarism detection service that identifies potentially plagiarized or improperly cited text. When activated for an assignment, it automatically checks submitted work against an ever-increasing index of online sources, including a dedicated Western repository. This means that SimCheck will scan for any improperly cited text from the web, journal materials, as well as other submitted works at WWU from any Canvas course.

As of April 2023, SimCheck is currently providing artificial intelligence (AI) writing detection until 1/1/2024 as a free preview. These scores will be displayed alongside originality reports for plagiarism within assignments checked for plagiarism at WWU.

How are submissions used? 

All submitted papers are indexed in an encrypted form, then stored securely in a repository that is specific to Western. The University maintains full ownership and control of repository materials. This repository is populated with several years' worth of submissions, including those submitted using our previous plagiarism detection tools.

How is SimCheck integrated with Canvas? 

SimCheck's integration with Canvas works within the Assignments tool. For details, see How to Create a SimCheck-enabled Assignment in Canvas.

Instructors 

• Full Instructor Guide for Using SimCheck with Canvas 
• How to Create a SimCheck-enabled Assignment in Canvas 

Students 

• Full Student Guide for Using SimCheck with Canvas 

Additional SimCheck reference information can be found at Vericite to SimCheck FAQ 

Additional Resources 

The tools, licenses, and services for providing plagiarism tools come under review periodically to ensure they continue meeting the needs of the Western community. ATUS recognizes there are strengths and limitations in any tool and recommends the following resources: 

• Academic Integrity Office:
  • About Integrity at Western
  • Integrity FAQ for Students 
• ATUS: SimCheck AI Writing Detection
• CIIA: Teaching Handbook: Academic Integrity 
• TLCo-op: AI and Chatbots Teaching Considerations
• Western Libraries: Plagiarism Policies & Guidelines 

Please email CanvasHelp@wwu.edu if you have any questions or concerns.