KansasCOM Library

eTextbooks

The KansasCOM Library strongly recommends students create personal user accounts with each of these services.

The majority of eTextbooks are located in three collections:

Additional eTextbooks are also located in these databases:

Why Create a Personal Account?

While there are multiple benefits to creating a personal account, there are two benefits that will impact your use of the eTextbook platforms:

1. Ability to create bookmarks
2. You'll need a personal account to use vendor apps on your phone or tablet

The KansasCOM Library recommends using your student email address to create your accounts but you may use any valid email address to set-up your accounts. Most of the library resources require you to complete the set-up by clicking a link provided in an email.

Typically, you will find the registration and login links in the top right corner of the database or resource collections.

Our eTextbook collections offer a variety of services beyond just the text needed for reading assignments. Below is a table where you can see exactly what is available in each.

Although two of three platforms have an app, all are optimized to display on your device (laptop, tablet or phone) and adjust to fit your screen. The KansasCOM Library recommends viewing through a web browser for the best performance/use of the materials.

• Available apps are linked below!

Reading Tips

Reading loads can be very heavy in medical school. Even blue light reading glasses or filters can't always ease that. Below are some solutions to help out and provide alternatives to reading on your laptop screen. 

If you have figured out other alternatives, please share so we can add them to the list!.Audio Readers

Two of our textbook platforms incorporate AI readers for you to use. They are as simple as clicking 'play' in the book you happen to be reading. Here are some screen shots so you know what to look for!

AccessMedicine

LWW Health Library

Tablets or Smartphones

Whether you are an android or apple user, you will be able to access our resources and be able to read on your handheld device. Our websites are designed to adjust to the scale of your device to make reading a little bit handier. 

PDF Downloads

Some of our textbook platforms allow you to be able to dimply download pdf files of chapters and some need a little bit of work-around to accomplished this. Whether you are planning to print or annotate the pdf file, here are easy tips to obtain them.

Printing

Reading from a screen can get tiring whether or not you battle dry eyes. Sometimes you just want a printed copy to make notes or to be able to easily backtrack and re-read sections of the text. Downloading pdf files from textbooks is pretty straightforward, but sometimes there is no pdf download option and you really want to print. Highlight the text you want and send to the printer, or you may opt to download as a print to pdf option to save and then print when needed.  See the examples in the section above for more details.

**It is permissible for you to print without fear of copyright violation from the library resources.

Online Readers

There are a variety of free online readers available. Some require registration or a download. Some only require an internet connection to work. All vary depending on the way you want to provide the content.

You can use the links provided below to copy and paste text into the free reading software options. Nearly all of the services offer a 'free' version that requires no sign in or service fee to use. The options are pretty basic but are also adequate to just have the service read the text you want. They all offer a subscription version that offers more options and it is up to you to pay if you choose to subscribe.

I was able to find these options when I Googled 'text to speech free'. They all work in very similar ways.

• Natural Readers
• TTSReader
• Voicemaker
• 10 Best Text-to-Speech Online Tools (For Free!) in 2022

Links to eTextbook Platforms

Readings & Resources Lists in Canvas

You may have heard the big news that the KansasCOM Library has introduced it's new tool in Canvas: Readings & Resources.

This is a great tool you can use to not only eliminate problematic links to course content, but also allows you to add documents, videos, websites and more in an easy to use format and standardized navigation for students. This tool also includes the ability for you to see analytics related to student access and use at a granular level AND the ability to roll over reading lists from trimester to trimester or year to year.

The Library and its staff are here to help you understand how to populate your reading lists and launch it for student use.

You can see the full information and directional help here: Readings & Resources Lists in Canvas

OR You can contact the library for more information or assistance here.

Case Studies

Several of the KansasCOM Library resources provide access to case studies. while these cannot be assigned for a grade, you can certainly use these as a teaching tool in class or for prep activities.

LWW Health Library

AccessMedicine

ClinicalKey

ClinicalKey does not have a special section for case studies, however, there are case studies available if you search for them. Connect with the database and search for 'case study' as shown below.

JAMA Evidence is part of the AccessMedicine subscription, so you will be able to sign in using the same login credentials you use for your personal account for AccessMedicine or AccessPharmacy. If you have already created an account, you will not need to create one here - just login using that same account information!

Download this file to access KansasCOM poster templates.

Are you preparing to present at a conference or other event? These KansasCOM themed poster templates are just what you'll need to get started.

Tips for Creating Your Poster

• We recommend downloading the KHSC-KansasCOM poster templates with school logos/colors on them. There are three templates that have pre-labeled sections to aid in formulating and formatting content. This is a great time saver. 
• Basic DO's and  DON'T's
  • DO's
    • identify resources
    • plan poster
    • be brief & to the point
    • select contrasting colors
    • select an easily readable font
  • DON'T's
    • use ALL CAPS
    • have more than 10 words in your title
    • use more than 2-3 contrasting colors
    • procrastinate
    • use paragraphs or large blocks of text
• The Seven S's of Success
  • Story
    • just as with any story you write, a poster should contain a title, beginning, middle and conclusion
    • keep in mind that our eyes are trained to read content left to right, top to bottom, in columns
  • Style
    • visual appeal: catch the reader's eye
    • manageability: overview of message, don't be too detailed
    • hierarchy: use headings, color, text and images to showcase important information
  • ​​​​​​Simplicity
    • decide upon one style for your images, graphics, and photos
  • Size
    • use fonts and images that are easy to read and interpret, don't go microscopic!
  • Statistics
    • use research, articles, and statistics to support your information; make sure they are current, reliable and on topic
  • Sources
    • ​​​​​​​use quotes and give credit to your sources to establish credibility
  • Shareability
    • ​​​​​​​provide readers with tools they need to follow up for more information

References

• Briggs, D. J. (2009). A practical guide to designing a poster for presentation. Nursing Standard, 23(34), 35-39.
• Crane, B. E. (2016). Infographics: A practical guide for librarians. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
• Miller, J. E., & Bloustein, E. J. (2007). Preparing and presenting effective research posters. Health Services Research, 42(1P1), 311-328. doi:10.1111/j.1475-6773.2006.00588.x
• Persky, A. M. (2016). Scientific posters: A plea from a conference attendee. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 80(10), 1-3.
• Rose, T. M. (2017). An illustrated guide to poster design. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 81(7), 1
• Siedlecki, S. L. (2017). How to create a poster that attracts an audience. AJN American Journal of Nursing, 117(3), 48-54.
• Taggart, H., & Arslanian, C. (2000). Creating an effective poster presentation. Orthopaedic Nursing, 19(3), 47-52.

Library Account Login

You can search the library catalog, One Search, from anywhere you have internet access. You will see results whether or not you login to your account. You will need to login to your library account to see the full results for any search. It is a good idea to establish a habit of logging into your account. Your login information is the same one you use to access the student portal and all other KansasCOM resources such as email and Canvas. (Single sign on, SSO).

By logging in to your library account you will be able to:

• Save searches
• Save search results
• Easily submit interlibrary loan requests: Article copies

• To begin your search, enter your search term:

• You will likely get too many results! Our library has millions of digital article and book records available.

• Using the 'Advanced Search' you can enter additional search terms to be more specific and reduce the number of results

• Once you have narrowed down your search you can:
  • Save your search
  • Examine individual results by selecting the title
  • View the full text, cite, save the item to your account, and more!
• Use the push pin to save the item, select 'Save Query' to save your search
  • Saving searches is handy if you don't have time to examine your results or if you want to re-use the search later and see any new results that may have been added

• If you have questions or need assistance, please contact our medical librarian!

Medical Databases & Resources

Beyond the textbook collection, the KansasCOM Library offers access to other medical databases and collections. Below is a list of these along with links and a brief description of what may be found in each collection. 

As with the textbook collections, we recommend creating a personal user account. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the library!

Overview

Knowledge for Practice, Professional Communication, Scientific Literacy, and Communication Skills are all important competencies for medical practice. Learn more about the Physician Competency Reference Set (PCRS) here.  Conforming to the required academic writing form and style for various journals is a means of demonstrating competency in these domains.

The official writing style for KansasCOM is the National Library of Medicine (NLM) citation format. This format was selected because it is the most-used citation format for professional journals in the field of medicine, and is the selected format for MEDLINE/PubMed citations. Faculty, students, practitioners, and administrators must use common citation formats. Failure to adhere to required citation styles interferes in understanding for the reader and conveys a general lack of professionalism that may interfere with how the writers message is received. Failure to adhere to required citation styles may result in major funding opportunities being lost, particularly with large federal grants in medicine and science.

While you may be familiar with other citation styles such as APA or MLA, you will find that the principles with NLM style are similar. Repeated use and practice will help you to acquired the necessary skills to successfully cite. The KansasCOM Library provides you with tools to assist you and this section of our webpage is intended to do so.

RefWorks

Refworks will help with keeping track of resources you have read and plan to cite when writing. Organizing citations is easy and downloading your references in NLM style is an easy-to-use feature. You may also opt to connect your RefWorks account to Microsoft Word to easily cite as you write!

KansasCOM has an active site license for RefWorks (through our TCS Education Affiliation) in order to provide our community with a fully functioned, and fully supported, reference management solution.

RefWorks allows you to save, organize, deploy, and share references in a variety of ways.

• Collect references from a variety of sources and store them in a single location
• Organize references in folders and sub-folders by topic
• Format and create bibliographies in NLM Style
• Share folders of references with colleagues and project partners
• Insert citations into your papers with Microsoft Word or Google Docs

To register for a free account​ you must use your KansasCOM email address:. (i.e. ****@kansashsc.org), and click on the "Create Account" link from the RefWorks Login Page. 

Catch how-to videos on the RefWorks Youtube channel in order to take full advantage of your account.

Download our RefWorks registration guide: 

• Once you have created your account, it's a snap to add new items to your collection. Clicking on 'RefWorks' in the library catalog is the best way to add high quality citations to your collections. While RefWorks is fairly intuitive to use, the videos on the YouTube channel provide a quick start to maximize your use and to help you set up your account to take advantage of provided tools.
  • Set NLM as your preferred citation style, you can easily switch between various styles
  • Upload your citations from other citation platforms
  • Integrates with Microsoft Word, allowing you to cite as you write
  • Create folders to stay organized
  • Add the 'Save to RefWorks' tool to you browser toolbar
  • and so much more!

The tool to integrate with Word is already install and waiting for you to connect your account

Access the open access citation manual:

SAGE Research Methods is a great way to learn about research, creating and planning your research projects and even search for funding. Highlights include:

• Books and Reference
  • Conducting Health Research: Principles, Process, and Methods
• Cases
  • Learn from other researchers with real world experience
• Datasets
  • You can explore by discipline, research methods and explore step-by-step guides to analyze data
• Research tools:
  • Methods Map
    • Explore different research methods to visualize what is right for you
  • Project Planner
    • Plan your project from beginning to end, includes check lists to keep you on track

Why Publish?

Providing a solid CV that demonstrates your commitment to research and academic excellence can play a vital role in your match for residency and other post-graduate experiences. Fortunately, publication experience dating back to your time as an undergraduate can be listed. It can be daunting to look at the average number or publications for various specialties and you may worry you won't be competitive. There are multiple experiences you can take advantage of during your time as a medical student. However, this information is intended for those seeking to publish in professional journals. 

What counts as a publication?

• peer-reviewed journal articles/abstracts
• peer-reviewed journal articles/abstracts (other than published)
• peer-reviewed book chapter
• scientific monograph
• poster presentation
• oral presentation

There are three main types of articles you may choose to write:

• Standard research paper based on a hypothesis
• Case report
• Review paper
• Click here for more information on these types of papers: 3 Types of Research Publications Premeds Can Work On

Remember, librarians can help with literature reviews!

Where to Publish

There are many well regarded publications that focus on student research and others that welcome submissions by medical students. This list is not intended to be comprehensive of every publication, but a place to begin. The links will take you to the publisher's author requirements which will provide needed information when preparing a manuscript for submission. An additional note has been added if the publication is available in our library. 

• Amsterdam Medical Student Journal
• BMJ (British Medical Journal) - available in the KansasCOM Library
• Cambridge Medicine Journal
• Cooper Rowan Medical Journal - available in the KansasCOM Library
• Dalhousie Medical Journal 
• Einstein Journal of Biology and Medicine - available in the KansasCOM Library
• Harvard Medical Student Review
• Harvard Public Health Review
• International Journal of Medical Students - available in the KansasCOM Library
• JAMA Network (10 specialty journals) - available in the KansasCOM Library
• Journal of Graduate Medical Education - available in the KansasCOM Library
• Journal of Young Investigators - available in the KansasCOM Library
• McGill Journal of Medicine
• McMaster University Medical Journal
• Medical Student Research Journal
• Michigan State University Journal of Medicine & Law
• MSPress Journal
• Postgraduate Medical Journal
• Residents' Journal
• Res Medica
• University of British Columbia Medical Journal
• University of Toronto Medical Journal
• Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine

Be sure to login to your library account in One Search. It's as easy as logging in to your library account.

Visit our 'Explore One Search' webpage for more information.

Explore our vast library of online resources

Be sure to create your account in BrowZine. It's as easy as logging in to your library account.

Searching

If you've searched using any kind of database or even only used a search engine, like Google or Bing, you should have some idea about how to search using the KansasCOM Library. Even if you haven't, the basic features should be a little intuitive.

Ultimately, the library staff encourages you to reach out for help as needed. We are here to help you understand how to search for research studies, background information, practice guidelines and about anything else you may be interested in locating.

Tips for Searching Library Resources

• Use advanced search features when possible to limit your results
• Use one word or term or phrase per search blank to search more effectively
• Use tools to limit your results; these are things like: language, dates, resource type (usually located in a menu bar on the left side of the screen)
• Take advantage of using Boolean operators when searching: AND, OR, NOT
  • AND limits results to those that contain all of the search terms you have used
  • OR broadens your search to include everything that mentions any of your search terms
    • this can be helpful if you're not sure what terms might yield results
  • NOT excludes results that contain terms you want to avoid in order to limit your results
  • If there aren't drop-down menus for Boolean operators and only one search blank is available, enter the operators between search terms in ALL CAPS
    • Usually you will see multiple search blanks when you elect to do an advanced search

Check out the information about Evidence-Based Medicine and searching farther down on this webpage for specific help with medical research

Set-up an appointment with the library's medical librarian for assistance with searching. Consult our expert researcher! See the 'Schedule an Appointment' box on the left.

What is Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary loan is a service offered to our students, faculty and staff to help locate and borrow resources that are not held by the KCOM Library. Interlibrary loan allows the library to help locate materials and request that they be sent digitally (when available) to be delivered to your email.*

Who can use Interlibrary Loan?

Currently the only eligible individuals able to take advantage of Interlibrary loan are the following:

• All students, faculty, preceptors and staff on campus or remote
• Alumni and Library Guests are not eligible to use the interlibrary loan service

A Quick Guide for Using Interlibrary Loan

• Step One

• Search for your item in OneSearch, the library online catalog
• If the item does not come up in your search in OneSearch, click on "expand your search" at the top of the page:
  
  

• Step Two

• Locate the item and click on "Get it for me from other libraries"
  
• If promoted, please "sign-in" using your KSCOM email address and password
• Once signed in, click on the "Get a digital copy:" icon:
  
• Click "Get it"
• Follow the status of your request by checking your library account.

Watch your email

• Digital items are delivered via your ****@kansashsc.org email account
• Articles and chapters usually arrive in your inbox within 24 hours
• The email will contain a download link
• Please contact the library directly if you have questions

What Can and Can't Be Requested?

For information about borrowing physical print materials such as books, please contact the librarian.

1. ASK - Convert the need for information into a focused clinical question. Use the PICO framework. 

2. ACQUIRE - Track down the best evidence with which to answer that question.

3. APPRAISE - Critically appraise the evidence for its validity, impact, and applicability.

4. APPLY - Integrate the evidence with your clinical expertise and your patient's characteristics and values. 

5. ASSESS - Assess the results of your intervention. 

Two Cardinal Rules of EBM

1. Not all evidence is created equal - A hierarchy of evidence guides clinical decision-making.
2. Evidence alone is never enough - Competent physicians balance risks and benefits of management strategies in the context of patient values and preferences.

  Additional Information Sources

This seven module introduction to Evidence-Based Practice research is key to understanding the value and process for locating high-quality research studies. The modules are self-paced to allow you to fully understand the principles presented and apply them to your own research.

© 2019 Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This is an open-access publication distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike license.

Experimental vs. Observational Studies

An observational study is a study in which the investigator cannot control the assignment of treatment to subjects because the participants or conditions are not directly assigned by the researcher.

• Examines predetermined treatments, interventions, policies, and their effects
• Four main types: case series, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, and cohort studies

In an experimental study, the investigators directly manipulate or assign participants to different interventions or environments

Experimental studies that involve humans are called clinical trials. They fall into two categories: those with controls, and those without controls.

• Controlled trials - studies in which the experimental drug or procedure is compared with another drug or procedure
• Uncontrolled trials - studies in which the investigators' experience with the experimental drug or procedure is described, but the treatment is not compared with another treatment

Definitions taken from: White SE. Basic & Clinical Biostatistics. 5th ed. New York, N.Y: McGraw-Hill Education LLC; 2020.Retrieved April 21, 2022 from AccessMedicine

Levels of Evidence Pyramid

Not all resources in pyramid are available at the KansasCOM Library. Check with Library staff for assistance, access the list below, or visit the full database list.

Links to Evidence Based Medicine Resources

The KansasCOM Library provides access to most of the resources identified on the Levels of Evidence Pyramid. The links below will take you directly to those resources.

Meta-Analysis & Systematic Reviews

Critically Appraised Topics

Randomized Controlled Studies, Cohort Studies, Case Control Studies, Case Reports/Case Series

Background Information & Expert Opinions

PICO may be a new way for you to think about and search for research information. You may consider using this worksheet to help develop your PICO question. Even experienced researchers rely on tools like this when beginning research!

The PICO format helps you

• form an appropriate, focused question
• identify key concepts and brainstorm search terms
• develop a strong search strategy
• obtain a manageable number of pertinent results
• appraise results for relevance

Adapted from Developing a PICO Question Tutorial: Part 1 of a 2 part tutorial series from Marymount Library's PICO Tutorials. 

The PICO model can help you formulate a good clinical question. Sometimes it's referred to as PICO-T, containing an optional 5th factor. 

Foreground and Background Questions

Clinical questions are categorized as background or foreground. Once you determine your question type you may want to use the "Asking PICOT Questions Template" document to develop your question.

Background Questions

• Ask to obtain general knowledge about an illness, condition, or disease
• Ask who, what, when, where, how, or why

Foreground Questions

• Ask for specific knowledge to inform clinical decisions
• Deal with specific patient or population; more complex than background questions

Framing a PICO Question

Foreground questions can be further classified into four groups: diagnosis, therapy, prognosis, and etiology/harm. Certain study designs are better for answering particular question types. 

• The "Appropriate Study Types" column lists study designs best suited to each question type, in order of utility.

Getting Started with Searching

• Consider downloading the template above as you begin to learn to ask PICO questions. In addition to the four main types of questions, two additional types of questions listed that will help guide you in this process. The second page of the document provides short definitions for the type of questions along with samples of questions.
• Consider using PubMed for searching. They have set up clinical queries that filter your results to aid in your searches.
• Consider watching this video that shows how to search and limit your results in PubMed.
• Consider watching this video that shows how to search for the full text of articles not freely available in PubMed.

Adapted from:

• Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk EF-O. Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare : a guide to best practice. NULL. Wolters Kluwer; 2011.
• Health (Nursing, Medicine, Allied Health) Guide from NYU Libraries: https://guides.nyu.edu/health/framing-questions#Background%20Questions

Research Assistance

Whether you are a novice or a veteran researcher, a little assistance can be critical for achieving successful results. Our library staff has extensive education and experience in utilizing databases. We understand the unique qualities of every research request and will be happy to help you through the process.

• Use our 'Research Request' form to tell us a little about your research needs and suggest a meeting time or use the appointment scheduler located in the menu to the left.

​​​​​​​

MEDLINE & PubMed

Searching PubMed is often considered essential for medical health professionals and researchers. Research articles indexed using MeSH form a subset of the PubMed database, MEDLINE, and are included in One Search. There are specific search tools and methods that are particular to PubMed that do not translate well to that search interface. Because there are multiple ways to search using PubMed it is important to understand the basics of searching. The videos below will help you to navigate this resource and access full text articles.

Searching

You can use these links to connect directly to MEDLINE or PubMed:

Keep in mind, our medical librarian is always here to help you! You can create an appointment to meet virtually or in-person by clicking the link below.

This excellent video series from Welch Medical Library @ Johns Hopkins University demonstrates how to use PubMed effectively to build an advanced search.

In most cases logging into a library database will look the same as it always has. For example, logging in from the A-Z database list will lead you to the familiar login screen and then directly to the resource.

In a few cases, such as with EBSCO databases, the login might look a little different. After clicking on the database link...

You will need to click the "Institutional Login" link on the EBSCO page that follows before being taken to the usual login screen.

Alternative Login Options

One thing that is new with OpenAthens is the option to login directly through the public facing website of a database.

1. For example, if I Google Taylor and Francis Online and go to their public facing site I can then click the Log In button.
2. From there I select the "Access through your Institution" option
3. Next, I type in the name of my institution - TCS Education System - and click or enter.
4. If I haven't logged in anywhere else then I'll be taken to the school login page. If I have already logged in during this session then I'll automatically bypass this page.
5. And then I'll have access to the school's content on the Taylor and Francis site.

   ---

To use the OpenAthens Link Generator:

1. Go to: https://go.openathens.net/generate/tcsedsystem.edu/72355083
2. Paste a permalink or stable URL for the resource you would like to link to in the box and press enter.
3. Copy the generated URL.
4. Use the copied URL to link to the source.
5. Test the link or have someone else test the link!
6. Note that some resources automatically produce a permalink and erase the need for creating an OpenAthens secure link. ProQuest and EBSCOHost resources include the ability to create permalinks.
7. Find resource specific instructions for creating stable links here: How to Create Stable Links to Library Resources

Multiple URLs can be created at one time.

Be sure to test your new links before saving/sharing!

• For the best linking experience we recommend using Firefox and Microsoft Edge.

• If you use Google Chrome or experience issues with other browsers you will need to clear your browsing history and reset your cookies under the settings for your browser.

Many (though not all!) of your saved links will still work after the transition to OpenAthens. However we encourage users to update their links for more reliable access. There are several ways you can do this. First, you can replace old links with links from the library's catalog using the following steps:

1. After locating the item in OneSearch, click on the 3 dots in the right corner of the search result.
2. Next click on the button labeled permalink.
3. Finally, click "Copy the Permalink to Clipboard" and then paste that wherever you are keeping your links.

It will require 1 extra click for you and others to access the full text, however this permalink from the catalog will always be the most reliable.

It is also possible in some cases to link directly to full text. 

While every database or resource is different many will include a "friendly" URL or permalink button that will allow you to copy a URL that can be shared with other users. 

These permalinks will sometimes include the link in your browser search bar however please note that this link is not always shareable and may not work for other users. Be sure to test these links in another browser or incognito window before saving or sharing. 

Another way to create a persistent link that is compatible with OpenAthens is by using the OpenAthens Link Generator Tool. 
(Please note that this tool will not work for ProQuest, EBSCO, Gale, or Kanopy links.)

To use the OpenAthens Link Generator:

1. Go to https://go.openathens.net/generate/tcsedsystem.edu/72355083
2. Paste a permalink or stable URL for the resource you would like to link to in the box and press enter.
3. Copy the generated URL.
4. Use the copied URL to link to the source.

Multiple URLs can be created at one time.

Be sure to test your new links before saving/sharing!

Why is the library using OpenAthens?
OpenAthens offers greater security, control, and reliability. For user in particular, the addition of OpenAthens will help prevent downtimes due to authentication system issues.

Will I need a new username and password?
No. The username and password that you use for all other school systems will work with OpenAthens.

Will signing in to library resources be any different?
In most cases, no. Follow this link to learn more about signing in with OpenAthens.

How long until users are logged out due to inactivity? 
An OpenAthens session will last for up to 8 hours. Keep in mind that if you switch browsers or delete your cookies you will need to log in again.

What do I do if my saved links or bookmarks no longer work?
Follow this link for tips on how to save or create new links.

What about privacy?
Please visit OpenAthens privacy pages at: https://www.openathens.net/privacy/

Please feel free to report any broken links or problems and a member of our staff will get back to you shortly.

You can also reach out to us via email.

What is not covered by copyright?

• Works for which the copyright has expired
• Works federal government employees produced within the scope of their employment
• Works clearly and explicitly donated to the public domain
• Works that have not been fixed in a tangible form of expression (for example, choreographic works that have not been notated or recorded, or spontaneous  speeches or performances that have not been written or recorded)
• Titles, names, short phrases, and slogans; familiar symbols or designs; mere variations of typographic ornamentation, lettering, or coloring; mere listings of ingredients or contents
• Ideas, procedures, methods, systems, processes, concepts, principles, discoveries, or devices, as distinguished from a description, explanation, or illustration
• Works consisting entirely of information that is common property and contains no original authorship (for example, standard calendars, height and weight charts, tape measures and rulers, and lists or tables taken from public documents or other common sources)

This list is from the Claremont Colleges Library's copyright guide under "Copyright Resources: What is Covered by Copyright." http://libguides.libraries.claremont.edu

Copyright and Teaching: Using Copyrighted Works in the Classroom

You may have questions about what can be used in the classroom. If you are unsure, there are four factors to consider when you try to determine whether you are using copyrighted works appropriately.

Fair Use is addressed in US Copyright: 17 U.S. Code 107 - Limitations on Exclusive Rights: Fair Use

There are many tools available to help you as you decide whether or not  to  use specific materials in your face-to-face class or online using a tool such as ScholarRX or Canvas.

All four factors need to be addressed when making a decision, you cannot pick and choose which one to use:

1. The purpose and character of the used, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
2. The nature of the copyrighted work;
3. The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
4. The effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

f a resource is under copyright law, then you should check to see how it is licensed. When something is licensed, we are contracted to use (not own) it, whether through a Creative Commons license or through library subscriptions. If you accessed the resource through the library, you can check with our librarian to make sure you understand the licensing terms.

If there are no licensing terms but it is under copyright protections, you can also check to see if your use of the work falls under fair use. We recommend that you use the ALA Fair Use Checklist tool.

If you don't think your use is fair, then you might need to ask permission. But please note that linking is legal in the United States, and you don't need to ask permission! 

Finally...   

Don't panic! You should know that copyright law supports education, and the library is here to support you. There are, in fact, not just one, not two, but three pieces of legislation that educators depend on to do things like show videos in a class, hand out copies of articles to students, and use screenshots of websites in order to teach a point.

Please refer to the other tabs on this box for more information about Creative Commons and Tools You Can Use to help navigate copyright.

Cool Tools to Help Understand Copyright & Fair Use

Fair Use Evaluator

This tool is designed to help you better understand how to determine the "fairness" of a use under the U.S. Copyright Code. The tool will help you collect, organize & archive the information you might need to support a fair use evaluation by providing you with a time-stamped, PDF document for your records, which could prove valuable, should you ever be asked by a copyright holder to provide your fair use evaluation and the data you used to support it.

Exceptions for Instructors eTool

The U.S. Copyright Code provides for the educational use of copyrighted material without the permission of the copyright holder under certain conditions. Use this free online tool to find out if your intended use meets the requirements set out in the law. This tool can also help you collect information detailing your educational use and provide you with a summary in PDF format.

The Copyright Genie

OK, so the Copyright Genie can't grant copyright wishes, but it can take the magic out of copyright by:

• Helping you find out if a work is covered by U.S. copyright
• Calculating its terms of protection, and

Collecting and publishing the results (as a PDF) to save for your records or further vet with a copyright specialist.

Public Domain Slider

Not sure if something is in the Public Domain? This handy tool helps understand when a work qualifies and if you need to worry about violating copyright.

Section 108 Spinner

Section 108 of the U.S. Copyright Code allows libraries and archives, under certain circumstances, to make reproductions of copyrighted materials without the permission of the copyright holder. This simple tool can

1. help you determine if your reproduction is covered by Section 108 and
2. collect information to support your use of the exception.

Creative Commons Licensing & Open Education

Creative Commons

What is a license?

A license is official permission for authorized use. For example, you may have a license to play music from iTunes, or to stream movies from Netflix. Similarly, you can have a license to read articles from library databases. This doesn't mean that you own the movies from Netflix or the articles from the library. It means you have a license to use these works.

What is Creative Commons licensing?

Creative Commons is an organization that has created a set of international licenses that allow creators to give permission to people to use their work. Here's a guide to the Creative Commons licenses and symbols.

 Creative Commons (CC): This is the basic symbol that says you are using a Creatives Commons license, and you can use the work without asking for permission. 

 Attribution (BY): This symbol means the owner wants to be attributed, or credited, for the original work.

 No Derivatives (ND): This symbol means you cannot change the work in any way. No derivatives allowed.

 Non-Commercial (NC): This symbol means that you cannot use the work for commercial purposes. If you'd like to use the work for commercial purposes, you must ask the owner for permission.

 Share Alike (SA): This symbol means that, if you share the work, you must do so under the same terms as the original license. For example, if I use a work that has a CC-BY-NC license, I might be able to make derivative works, but I must share my version under a CC-BY-NC license as well.

You can find CC-licensed materials, plug into the open access community, and choose CC licenses for your own works at: https://creativecommons.org/. 

Open Education

The open education movement uses open and freely available educational materials, known as open educational resources (OERs) in order to alleviate the high cost of textbooks.

Open education resources operate on a 5R permissions framework that goes beyond being able to simply read items to:

• Retain
• Reuse
• Revise
• Remix
• Redistribute 

This is often accomplished using Creative Commons licenses, which you might have seen on photos, videos, and articles available online.

The Kansas Health Science Center - Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine's Professional Code of Conduct, lists plagiarism as a violation of our Professional Code of Conduct.

• Why are we quoting the from the Professional Code of Conduct?

• How is plagiarism different from copyright violation?

The difference is cultural ethical practice versus law. In U.S. copyright law, it does not matter if you cite the original author/creator. Plagiarism involves, not just copying other people's work, but not giving them appropriate credit.

In short, it is not Western academic practice to copy other people's work without giving them credit. You can use other people's work, but you should quote and cite appropriately in order to be behaving, not just within accordance with the KHSC - KansasCOM Professional Code of Conduct, but the ethical practices of the Western world.

On the flip side, if someone, for example, prints 30 copies of the current bestseller and sell them for $1 each because they're a huge fan of the author?? Well, that's not plagiarism, because the author is clear. That's copyright violation! 

Professional Code of Conduct

It is not possible to enumerate all forms of inappropriate behavior. The following, however, are examples of behavior that could constitute a violation of Kansas Health Science Center (KHSC- KansasCOM) policy. Accordingly, KHSC-KansasCOM has established the following Professional Code of Conduct, indicating behavior that is subject to disciplinary action:

1. Harassment, harm, abuse, damage, or theft to or of any individual or property;
2. Physical or verbal abuse or the threat of such abuse to any individual;
3. All forms of dishonesty: cheating, plagiarism, knowingly furnishing false information to KHSC- KansasCOM, forgery, alteration, or unapproved use of records;
4. Entering or using KHSC-KansasCOM or hospital/clinic/research facilities without authorization;
5. Disrupting teaching, research, administrative or student functions of KHSC-KansasCOM;
6. Actions resulting in being charged with a violation of federal, state, or local laws, excluding minor traffic violations; and/or failure to report such charges/violations to KHSC-KansasCOM administration within 48 hours;
7. Participation in academic or clinical endeavors at KHSC-KansasCOM or its affiliated institutions while under the influence of alcohol, nonprescribed controlled substances or illicit drugs;
8. Unlawful use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs, nonprescribed controlled substances, or alcohol at any time
9. Placing a patient in needless jeopardy;
10. Unethical disclosure of privileged information;
11. Behavior or appearance that demonstrates abusive or disrespectful conduct toward members of the faculty, administrative or professional staff, employees, students, patients or visitors of KHSC-KansasCOM;
12. Violation of any established rules, regulations, and policies of KHSC-KansasCOM, KHSC- KansasCOM -endorsed organizations, KHSC-KansasCOM departments or affiliated institutions;
13. Failure to report an observed violation of the Professional Code of Conduct;
14. Conspiring, planning, or attempting to achieve any of the above acts.

(Page 74-75 student handbook)

What are your rights? Copyright for academic authors and creators.

​In the "What is copyright?" section, there is a brief explanation of

1. what is copyrightable, and
2. what are the rights for each copyright owner.

You'll note that there's actually a long list of rights. The word "copyright" is misleading because it implies one right. In fact you own many rights - not just to copy or sell, but also to make derivatives, such as translations. This is how novelists can sell their movie rights; they are selling the right to a derivative work (the movie) independent of the sale of their novel (the original work). 

Traditionally, academic journals and book publishers ask authors to sign away all their rights when they publish. This is called a copyright transfer or an exclusive license. Recently there has been push back against this practice, since digital rights now mean that books are never "out of print" and therefore rights never revert back to the author. Tools that authors can use include:

• Contract negotiation, either on a point-by-point basis or through tools like the SPARC Author Addendum: https://sparcopen.org/our-work/author-rights/
• Requesting rights reversion back to the author after the appropriate number of years. The Author's Alliance has a great toolkit: http://www.authorsalliance.org/resources/rights-reversion-portal/ 
• Open access policies on campuses so that authors can retain rights to their author manuscripts by depositing with an institutional repository like the USF Scholarship Repository: http://repository.usfca.edu/