Checking for a document's properties via Word Document or Turnitin will enable staff to search for inconsistent properties that may be a contract cheating "flag". 

2. Word Document (Windows)

Check Details from Windows Explorer

  1. Download the student's Turnitin assignment or Download Submitted Blackboard Assignments and save it to your harddrive.
  2. Locate and right-click on the appropriate student's assignment.
  3. Click on Properties.

student word doc selected, right click menu open, and properties selected

  1. Click on the Details tab.

Note: A low editing time may be an indication that the student has used version control when producing their assignment. For example, each time the student saved the document with a new name, the editing time is set back to zero minutes. 

Note: The Company and Manager descriptions might contain data relating to the origins of the document and can be an inconsistent property.

details tab selected

Check Details from Word Document

  1. Download the student's Turnitin assignment or Download Submitted Blackboard Assignments and save it to your harddrive.
  2. Open the appropriate student's assignment.
  3. Click on File.

file selected in word document

  1. Click on Info to view the Properties.

    info selected, properties selected

    Document Information

    The information that can be checked and definitions are as follows:

    • Total Editing Time: A low editing time may be an indication that the student has used version control when producing their assignment. For example, each time the student saved the document with a new name, the editing time is set back to zero minutes.
    • Last Modified and Created: The last time the document was modified and when the document was created. Inconsistent properties can include the Last Modified and Created date and times are close together, which could mean the student copied text and pasted it into a new document. However, it could also mean that the student copied a previous version of their assignment and pasted it into a new document for neater presentation etc.
    • Author: The person who created the document. Inconsistent properties include the author not being a student or an administrator.
    • Last Modified By: The person who last saved the document. Inconsistent properties include the author not being student or an administrator.

        Note that it is possible to remove Word document properties. The removal of property information is also a contract cheating "flag" and should be double-checked by downloading the actual document to check the document's properties.