Abstract
Plagiarism poses a major challenge in higher education, threatening academic integrity and
research quality. Anti-plagiarism software (APS) offers automated detection of textual
similarities, supporting originality and ethical scholarship. This study assessed the types,
purposes, and frequency of APS use by master's students in three private universities in
Osun State, Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive survey design. From a population of
498 master's students at Bowen, Redeemer's, and Fountain Universities, a sample of 298
was selected using 60% sampling fraction. Data were collected with a validated
questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha = .780–.921) and analysed using descriptive statistics
(frequency, percentage, mean, SD) via SPSS. Findings revealed that Grammarly and
Turnitin were the most frequently used software, while PlagScan, iThenticate, and Copy
Leak were rarely utilised. The major purposes for APS use included avoiding plagiarism,
refining writing skills, meeting institutional submission requirements, and ensuring
originality for journal publication. Frequency analysis indicated that most students used
APS on a quarterly basis, with limited engagement in daily or weekly use. APS is vital in
fostering originality and academic integrity among master's students. However, low
awareness and limited adoption persist. The study recommends institutional workshops
and continuous lecturer encouragement to improve APS usage and maximise its benefits.
Keywords: Plagiarism, anti-plagiarism software, private universities, masters students.
Publication Date: 2026-02-05