Using publicly available data for research or projects may be attractive because it can be more easily accessible than proprietary or private materials. However, the public availability of certain datasets or research doesn’t make the content free from restrictions. There are several factors that should be taken into consideration even when using public data:
Nature of the Data
Publicly available data can include a wide range of information, such as government datasets, publicly shared research data, research published under open access (OA) licenses, and datasets that fall within the public domain. Data that is explicitly released under OA licenses typically come with fewer usage restrictions. In the United States, data and content created by the federal government generally fall within the public domain. However, this is not a global concept, and other countries may have copyright protection for their government works. You should consult with your legal or knowledge management team on any restrictions in your specific country.
Terms of Use
Even though a dataset is made publicly available, there may still be conditions and restrictions attached to using the content. You should review licenses associated with the data prior to your use. Some datasets may have specific conditions or restrictions on how they may be used, modified, or redistributed, even if they are publicly accessible.
Attribution
It’s good practice to provide appropriate attribution to the original source or creator of a dataset and depending on the relevant license, it may be a requirement for using the content. For example, certain types of OA licenses require users to provide attributions and maintain any associated copyrighted notices of the original work. Furthermore, attribution helps maintain transparency and acknowledges the contributions of those who have collected or curated the data.
Data Integrity and Quality
When using public data for research or projects (or any data that’s being used), it’s essential to verify the integrity, accuracy, and reliability of the data. Make sure the data is suitable for your intended purposes and that you understand any limitations (including any legal limitations) or biases that may be associated with it.
In short, it’s important to exercise due diligence, respect any applicable terms of use or licenses, and ensure that your use of the data complies with legal and ethical standards. If you’re uncertain about the copyright status or usage rights of a particular dataset, consulting with your knowledge management or legal team for guidance can provide clarity and help mitigate risks.