Statistics and Qualitative Software at Kent State University
Faculty Senate Presentation
December 2009
What is Statistical and Qualitative Software?
- Every corner of KSU employs software tools to examine patterns and unearth meaning.
- Statistical software helps researchers summarize raw data and test hypotheses and develop models. Qualitative software assists researchers in organizing and presenting their analyses.
- Tools necessary for collaboration and interdisciplinary venture.
Why is such software housed in University Libraries?
- Excellence in teaching and research, requires centrally supported tools (including software) which reduces waste and redundancy in expenditures and services.
- Move from Information Services to University Libraries has provided a synergy with the research and data resources and services traditionally housed in University Libraries.
- Centrally accessible software and support provides the foundation for collaboration and interdisciplinary ventures which allows Kent State to be on the cutting edge of creation, innovation, research, and teaching.
What is the Advisory Panel and what Principles Guide the Panel?
1. Ensuring excellence in teaching and research through access to analytic software tools.
2. Serving a diverse KSU community of stakeholders.
3. Supporting learning in the classroom and through distance technologies in the KSU community with analytical software while recognizing the constraints of licensing agreements.
4. Promoting the ethical and legal use of statistical and qualitative software at KSU.
5. Periodically reviewing university-licensed software to address the need for a suite of university-licensed tools that serve both the social and physical sciences while balancing budgetary constraints.
What are the Ethical and Legal Issues involved?
- Kent State University has negotiated site licenses for several statistical and qualitative software packages which we are bound to uphold.
- Some license agreements permit student use of the software only in computer labs; others permit the use of the software on home and office computers.
- Careful attention must be paid to the licenses for each software package to ensure compliance.
- Although software falls under Copyright law, software is not covered by "fair use" clauses. Software cannot legally be shared, duplicated, or installed on more than the licensed number of computers even if used for educational purposes.
How is University Libraries addressing these issues? -- Two Pronged Approach
Appropriate Use Campaign
What is unlicensed software?
Using unlicensed software is the illegal (unauthorized) copying, distribution, or use of software. For most software, when you "buy" it, you are not buying the software; you are purchasing the license to use it. Therefore, your use is restricted under the license agreement.
May I make a back-up copy of the software?
Most software allows you to make a single back-up copy of the software. However, that copy is intended to be stored in case the copy installed on your computer is destroyed or corrupted.
How many copies of the software may I make?
The fact that you can physically make a copy does not give you the legal right to make additional copies. It is not permissible to share or sell that copy with anyone.
I want to use the software to teach a class or work on a research paper with a graduate student of mine; may I make copies for educational purposes?
Although software falls under Copyright law, software is not covered by "fair use" clauses. Software cannot legally be shared, duplicated, or installed on more than the licensed number of computers even if used for educational purposes.
Who can use statistical and qualitative software?
Kent State University has negotiated site licenses for several statistical and qualitative software packages. The Kent State University community is bound to uphold those license agreements. Some license agreements permit student use of the software only in computer labs; others permit the use of the software on home and office computers. Careful attention must be paid to the licenses for each software package to ensure compliance. Please go to the FAQs page for license information for each of the statistical and qualitative software packages with KSU site licenses.
What are the legal ramifications of using unlicensed software?
