- Keep a match/reason/action matrix with the original report.
A comprehensive report must include the following sections:
- Executive summary — overall similarity percentage and recommended action
- Details of each matched source with reference/link
- Highlighted matching text with location/page references
- Recommended corrective actions and next steps
- Final assessment and recommendation for publication or revision
A reviewable report goes beyond a score
Identify the location, source and proposed action for each concern. Document version and date matter: an earlier report does not describe a revised manuscript. Do not declare misconduct solely from a percentage.
- Document version and tool details
- Matching table with location, source and use category
- Prioritized revision plan with responsibilities
- Human review against institutional policy
An example revision-action table
| Location | Issue | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Specified page and paragraph | Unattributed idea | Independent expression and original citation |
| Direct quotation | Missing marks or page | Complete under the chosen style |
| Standard method | Matching technical phrase | Human contextual assessment |
| Reference list | Bibliographic match | Record settings and verify the reference |
This is an educational example, not a completed report on your manuscript. Distinguish attribution problems, explainable similarity and issues requiring institutional judgment. A reviewer should not decide misconduct only from a tool’s color or score. Retain filename, version and date to track revisions.
Worked case and implementation decisions
The following is a fictional teaching case. Do not use its numbers or wording as actual study findings.
Two documents with the same percentage may have different problems. In fictional A, most matches are technical terms and references; in B, a complete unattributed argument appears. A useful summary describes match types and actions rather than declaring misconduct from the aggregate score. Any secondary view excluding references or quotations needs transparent settings and should not conceal the original report. The actual text, provenance, attribution and institutional policy determine the decision.
| Stage | Teaching example | Verification question |
|---|---|---|
| Report | Version, date and settings | Comparable with the earlier report? |
| Classification | Quote, reference, wording or idea | Has each source been examined? |
| Interpretation | A and B with similar percentages | Is judgment tied to the text? |
| Action | Cite, quote, rewrite or seek advice | Is the reason recorded? |
| Approval | Author review and local policy | Is the tool report distinguished from a decision? |
Exercise output: Keep a match/reason/action matrix with the original report.
Sources and further reading
Official sources for verification and further reading