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Monika Tiwari
Independent Researcher
Uttar Pradesh, India
Abstract
Digital plagiarism detection tools have become indispensable in safeguarding academic integrity across Indian higher education institutions. This study delves into the nuanced landscape of tool adoption, perceived effectiveness, and contextual challenges faced by both faculty and postgraduate students in India. Utilizing a structured survey of 200 participants drawn from ten universities representing diverse regions and disciplines, we systematically evaluate user experiences with leading platforms such as Turnitin, Urkund, PlagScan, and iThenticate. Our analysis covers not only the quantitative dimensions—frequency of use, accuracy ratings, and integration levels—but also qualitative insights into false positives, language-specific limitations, and policy ambiguities. The findings reveal a clear dichotomy: while users exhibit high confidence in detecting verbatim copying, they express significant reservations about the tools’ capacity to identify sophisticated paraphrasing and cross‑language plagiarism. Institutional support emerges as a critical factor, with formal training and clear policy frameworks markedly improving user trust and effectiveness. Based on these insights, we propose a set of best practices, including customized workshops, localized database enhancements, and tighter integration with learning management systems, to bolster the integrity of scholarly work across Indian academia.
Keywords
Digital Plagiarism Detection, Indian Academia, Turnitin, User Perceptions, Academic Integrity
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