Key points at a glance
- Do not read a score as proof of misconduct.
- Document permitted tools and the drafting process.
- Use the formal institutional route to resolve a dispute.
Separate signal from certainty
Example: A tool flags a formally written paragraph. That does not establish that it was generated, let alone that the whole thesis breached rules. Even vendors acknowledge false positives and negatives and warn against using a score as the sole basis for adverse action.
Make your work traceable
Keep notes, source trails, drafts and records of permitted tool use as required by your programme. Verify any AI-suggested statement, citation or data yourself. Documentation helps explain your process but does not replace compliance with assessment rules.
Respond through the proper process
Ask which passage is in question and which procedure applies. Explain your workflow with existing drafts and sources. Seek advice from your supervisor, examination office or student representative if a formal case begins.
Avoid detector-evasion tactics
Deliberately degrading prose to fool a detector can harm quality and compliance. Draft and revise responsibly, disclose permitted assistance and verify claims. A low score is no licence to break rules, just as a high one is no verdict.
Final submission context
Formal details can feel like a separate writing task, but they matter just as much for a printed submission. Anything missing, misplaced or inconsistently formatted in the document will also appear in the bound copy.
Use this guide together with your cover page, table of contents, page numbers, source notes and appendices. Prepare the final PDF for printing and binding only after the complete file has been checked.
Practical check before PDF export
- Do headings, chapter structure and page numbers match?
- Are sources, figures and tables included completely?
- Are required elements such as declarations, appendices or the cover page included where required?
- Did you open and check the final PDF after exporting it?
Checklist
- Institutional AI rules checked.
- Drafts and sources traceable.
- Score not treated as proof.
- Formal process used for disputes.
Common mistakes
- Reading a detector percentage as a plagiarism rate.
- Discarding original drafts.
- Using evasion tools instead of genuine revision.
Prepare the finished thesis for submission
Once the content and university requirements are checked, review your PDF and the available printing and binding options.
Review printing optionsRelated content
Explore related guidance on thesis structure, sources, formatting and final submission.
Frequently asked questions
Can a detector prove authorship?
No. Its output can be wrong and needs contextual review.
What if my own text is flagged?
Document your process and use your institution’s review procedure.
Does a low score guarantee compliance?
No. Actual conduct and applicable rules determine compliance.