Screening for duplicate text

All submitted PhD dissertations are screened for duplicate text to ensure high scientific standards and responsible conduct of research.

Immediately after submission, the PhD dissertations are sent to AU Library, Health Sciences and screened in the software system iThenticate. Please note that methodology sections are exempt from the rules regarding inappropriate text recycling.

The screening will take place within three work days, and a report will be returned to the Graduate School of Health.

If duplicate text is not found

The graduate school receives an e-mail from AU Library, Health Sciences stating that no duplicate text is found.

We send the PhD dissertation to the assessment committee, you will be cc.

If duplicate text is found 

• A report with a remark of duplicate text is sent to the graduate school by AU Library, Health Sciences
• The duplicate text found by iTenticate is assessed by the PhD Administration:
  • If the PhD Administration finds that the duplicate text does not indicate plagiarism, we send the PhD dissertation to the assessment committee, you will be cc.
  • If the PhD Administration finds that the duplicate text is questionable but only minor corrections are needed, you are offered the opportunity to rewrite the affected parts of the PhD dissertation
  • If the PhD Administration finds that the duplicate text is questionable and major corrections may be required, the PhD dissertation and the report is sent to the committee on duplicate text screening
  • The committee sends a statement to the graduate school, which will be forwarded to you and your main supervisor. As a result, the date of the defence might be postponed.
• Depending of the type and extent of the duplicate text, we might forward a recommendation for decision to the head of department. The consequence for the PhD student depends on the type and extent of duplicate text.