A data collection instrument is included in the documentation for a study. Can I use this instrument for my project?

Some instruments utilized as part of the data collection process for a project deposited with SAMHDA may contain whole or partial contents from copyrighted instruments. Reproductions of such instruments are provided as documentation for the analysis of the data in the associated collection. You cannot use a survey question from one of the SAMHDA studies in building your own survey without conducting further research on your part. The question may be part of a copyrighted instrument, and using it would be copyright infringement and/or plagiarism. Restrictions on "fair use" apply to all copyrighted content.

Circular 21 from the U.S. Copyright Office provides basic information on fair use and several important legislative provisions and other documents addressing reproduction of copyrighted materials by librarians and educators.