DTU provides iThenticate for text screening as a tool for all researchers at DTU.
iThenticate is a widely used tool for textual similarity screening of scientific texts, such as manuscripts for scientific articles and PhD theses. In some cases, it may also make sense to use the tool for grant applications.
Most scientific journals use iThenticate to screen articles during submission or require a screening report to be submitted along with the article.
For exam and student assignments, the text screening tool Ouriginal is used and provided by DTU’s study administration. Therefore, iThenticate is not be used for student assignments, including bachelor, and master projects, or for exams, but only for scientific works.
The tool is designed to help identify textual overlap with already published texts. You can use it to screen all types of scientific texts, particularly research articles and PhD theses, but also for conference abstracts and grant applications. You can also use the tool to identify missing citations in quoted texts.
One upload corresponds to 25,000 words. A PhD thesis typically equals 3–5 uploads. DTU has purchased a license for a limited number of uploads. We encourage you to use the tool wisely and avoid overuse. Note that re-uploading a scientific text is registered as a new upload each time it is re-uploaded.
Access to iThenticate is granted by sending an email to ithenticate@dtu.dk, requesting to be registered as a user by providing your DTU username and DTU email address.
Once registered, you will receive a link to the system and will then be able to use the tool and upload your scientific texts.
DTU provides iThenticate as a tool for all researchers at DTU.
We will register you as quickly as possible, preferably within 24 hours on weekdays.
You upload your text to iThenticate, and it is compared with a range of external sources. The tool highlights all text segments that are identical to the sources being screened. iThenticate has access to and screens broadly across scientific databases and Open Access content. You can set up filters in iThenticate when performing a similarity screening to exclude commonly used phrases, quotations, and reference lists from the screening.
Based on the screening, you receive a comprehensive report showing any textual overlaps with direct references to the source material. This allows you to quickly get an overview and act on any cases of unintended textual overlap. The report can be downloaded.
It is important that you have a good understanding of plagiarism and self-plagiarism when interpreting the screening report.
Read more about definitions of plagiarism and self-plagiarism and principles of good scientific practice (DTU Inside).
If you need help interpreting a screening result, it is recommended that you consult colleagues at your affiliated department.
DTU does not share your reports with others, and indexed submissions are not made available for comparison in Similarity Reports.
It is up to you whether you want to share reports from iThenticate, of your own texts, with others.
DTU does not systematically check submitted PhD theses for plagiarism but provides iThenticate as tool to all researchers at DTU.
DTU recommends that PhD students use iThenticate in collaboration with their PhD supervisor.
Turnitin, owning iThenticate, is a company registered in the USA but has support teams in the EU.
For GDPR reasons, DTU recommends avoiding the use of iThenticate’s customer support during evening and night hours (EU time zone).
When contacting iThenticate’s customer support, you will typically be asked to provide your username and the title of the document you are inquiring about.
When using iThenticate, the tool may highlight text content that is assessed to be generated by AI. It is important to note that this feature is still under development.
Translated to English with the assistance of Copilot
In cases of suspected plagiarism or self-plagiarism in a scientific product, DTU follows the procedure "Guidelines for handling suspicions regarding research misconduct and questionable research practice at DTU."
You can read more about questionable research practices and scientific misconduct on DTU Inside (DTU login).