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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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.