Checking a Word Document to see if a student has used referencing software is useful in investigating for potential contract cheating. However, if the document is a PDF, it cannot be checked for referencing software as the formatting is removed.​

In-text Referencing

  1. Download the student's Turnitin assignment or Download Submitted Blackboard Assignments and save it to your harddrive.
  2. Locate and open the student's assignment.
  3. If the document has a grey background over their in-text reference, it indicates that referencing software was used.

word document, grey background in source

  1. To view more information, right-click on the source.
  2. Click on Edit Field.

source selected, edit field selected

  1. Note the type of referencing software used in the Field codes textfield.
  • Zotero example.

information in the textfield

  • EndNote example.

endnote example

  • Mendeley example.

medeley example

  • Microsoft Word Reference Tool example.

microsoft word reference tool example

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Bibliography

  1. Download the student's Turnitin assignment or Download Submitted Blackboard Assignments and save it to your harddrive.
  2. Locate and open the student's assignment.
  3. If the document has a grey background over their bibliography, it indicates that referencing software was used.
  4. To view more information, right-click on the source.
  5. Click on Edit Field.

bibliography selected, edit field option selected

  1. Note the type of referencing software used in the Field codes textfield.
  • Zotero example.

zotero bibliography example

  • EndNote example.

endnote bibliography example

  • Mendeley example.

mendeley bibliography example

  • Microsoft Word Reference Tool example.

Microsoft Word Reference Tool example

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