Having piloted a number of systems earlier this year, the university selected the Urkund system. The advantages of the Urkund system were its ease of use and the possibility to integrate it with the online learning environment Optima.

The system will be used for detecting plagiarism, but it will also be used as a pedagogical tool to supervise students in academic writing.

The plagiarism detection system will first be used for checking Master’s theses, but it can be also used for checking essays.

Training for users will be available during the spring semester.

Plagiarism means presenting other people's thoughts, ideas, writing, etc. as one's own. It may be intentional or unintentional.

By launching the plagiarism detection system the University aims to promote good research and studying practices and to support the supervision of academic writing. The plagiarism system compares electronic written documents to Internet publications, databases, and web pages.

Further information:
Mrs Sirpa Purtilo-Nieminen, Development Manager for Online Learning
Tel. 040 742 1270
sirpa.purtilo-nieminen (at) ulapland.fi