BDU still not up to date with plagarism check software

TO ensure that quality prevails in research over quantity, the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2012 came up with anew methodology to detect plagiarism in research theses. But it seems very few universities in Tamil Nadu, including the University of Madras, Bharathiar University and Annamalai University, have installed the UGC recommended 'URKUND' software to detect plagiarism in PhD theses. Bharathidasan University (BDU) in Tiruchy has not even installed the software as it is awaiting approval from the standing committee. A BDU source said there were no instructions from UGC to install the software. After failing to produce quality researchers in recent times, the BDU has been downgraded to a 'B' rating. "The BDU has not in-stalled URKUND, though the UGC made it mandatory for all universities," said a BDU profes-sor seeking anonymity The BDU previously used
How URKUND works? 
It marks the document that is similar to other sources, in its archives, on the Internet, and in published material and gives the teacher access to the original material iThenticate and Turnitin to detect plagiarism, but they often cannot confirm cases of plagia-rism. "With no vice-chancellor in the BDU, it is taking more time to introduce URKUND," a BDU source told Express. "The software had been provided to BDU and the user 1D and password circulated among all faculty members. But there is no prescribed committee to keep track of plagiarism. The percent-age level URICUND displays after detecting plagiarism in a re-search thesis can be easily edited by anyone, thus a prescribed com-mittee must be appointed to en-sure that such incidents do not take place," the source added. When contacted, R Babu Rajen-dran, Registrar (incharge), BDU,

How can a univ or institution get an URKUND account? 
Universities that signed an MoU with Information and Library Network Centre, which comes under Section 12(B)/sf of the UGC Act, are eligible for funding and can get the software free of cost
said, "URKUND has been in-stalled and we have asked for per-mission from the standing committee for it to be implemented fully. The committee has to give approval for further use." Thiruvalluvar University sources in Vellore said URKUND was yet to be installed there. URKUND is an automated system against plagiarism.

What happens if a thesis is found plagiarised? 

Once the software shows plagiarism percentage, student will be asked to revise the thesis until plagiarism reaches a level acceptable in academic circles

How to check for plagiarism? 

The recommended significant percentage depends on the research guide and university. For example, the University of Madras has set a threshold level of plagiarism at 20 per cent for Science disciplines and 30 per cent for Mathematics, Arts, Humanities, Social Science, Commerce and Management
all documents, be it a research thesis or an academic project against three central sources —the Internet, published materials such as journals and books and previously submitted student material. It never determines what plagiarism is, but compares textual and subject similarity. URKUND would mark sentences and paragraphs if 30 words from other research work were found to be used without citing asource. A thesis is deemed to have been plagiarised if it is found that 30 per cent of the research content belonged to another individual. "We installed the software in in 2014 as per the norms. It is helping detect plagiarism in MPhil or PhD theses," a senior official in Anna University said. Similarly, the University of Madras decided in a Syndicate meeting in June to introduce the software. The university has set a threshold level of 20 per cent for Science disciplines and 30 per cent for Mathematics, Arts, Humanities, Social Science, Commerce and Management.
Source: readwhere. com/read/c/21081743