All PhD candidates at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam can check their research for plagiarism using the iThenticate tool.
All PhD candidates at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam can check their research for plagiarism using the iThenticate tool. With this, VU underlines the importance of scientific integrity in line with the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (NGWI), wants to stimulate awareness at an early stage of the PhD process and therefore emphasizes the preventive nature of the plagiarism check.
First phase of the PhD program
The PhD regulations state that all PhD candidates starting as of September 1, 2022 are required to submit one appropriate product to a plagiarism check in the first phase of the PhD program. In addition, all PhD candidates, including those who started before September 1, 2022, can make use of the tool voluntarily with a maximum of once a year.
The plagiarism check consists of a preventive plagiarism scan of a produced text before the end of the second year of the PhD track. The PhD candidate discusses the results of the plagiarism scan with their supervisor or co-supervisor; based on this discussion a report is produced.
Support
Faculty support in conducting the scan is provided by the key user(s) iThenticate of the relevant faculty. Technical support with using the tool is provided by the University Library. A Quick Starting Guide and FAQ page can be found in the University Library's LibGuide.