what does yellow mean in turnitin

In Turnitin, a yellow color in the similarity report indicates a moderate level of similarity between the submitted work and other sources in the Turnitin database. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what this means:

1. Percentage Indication: The yellow color often corresponds to a similarity index that falls within a specific percentage range (typically around 21-40%). This means that a notable portion of the submission has matching text with other sources.

2. Sources of Similarity: The content that contributes to the similarity score may come from various sources, including:

   • Published papers or journals.
   • Student submissions in Turnitin’s database.
   • Internet sources, such as websites and articles.
   • Other academic works, including theses and dissertations.

3. Interpretation: A yellow score indicates that there are sections of the text that are similar to existing content. However, the degree of concern over this similarity will depend on the context:

   • Quotations and Citations: If the similarities arise from properly quoted and cited content, then it may not be an issue.
   • Paraphrased Content: Sections that may have been paraphrased but still closely resemble the original text could be cause for concern.
   • Common Knowledge: Some overlaps might pertain to widely accepted facts or terminology, which generally don’t raise issues.

4. Next Steps: For students and instructors, a yellow similarity score should prompt a review of the highlighted areas in the report:

   • Assess which specific phrases or sections are flagged.
   • Determine if they need proper citation or revision.
   • Consider the context to decide if the similarity scores represent plagiarism or just common academic practice.
5. User Interpretation: The interpretation of a yellow score can vary between institutions. Some may consider it an acceptable range, while others may encourage efforts to reduce similarity percentages.

In summary, a yellow score in Turnitin indicates that there is a moderate degree of textual similarity that should be reviewed to ensure academic integrity in the submitted work.