Understanding Copyright Anxiety Among Indian Library Professionals
Informed Consent Statement

Title of Study:
 Understanding Copyright Anxiety Among Indian Library Professionals

Dr. Somipam R. Shimray
Assistant Professor
Department of Library and Information Science
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Lucknow, India
Email: srshimray@yahoo.com
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7967-489X

Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this research is to assess the prevalence, sources, and impact of copyright anxiety among Indian library professionals. It aims to explore how this anxiety manifests cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally in day-to-day professional settings—especially in digital environments like institutional repositories, online teaching, and research data sharing. The findings will guide the development of practical support mechanisms, institutional policies, and training frameworks.

Participation and Voluntary Consent
Participation in this study is entirely voluntary. You may choose not to answer specific questions or withdraw from the study at any time without penalty. Your participation or non-participation will not impact your professional standing in any way.

Confidentiality and Data Protection
  • No personally identifiable information will be collected.
  • All responses will remain strictly anonymous.
  • Data will be securely stored and used solely for academic research purposes.
  • Once the research is concluded and findings are disseminated, all collected data will be permanently deleted.
Benefits and Risks
There are no direct personal benefits for participating, but your input will contribute significantly to improving copyright policy support and awareness in academic library environments. The only foreseeable risk is minimal and involves expressing opinions on institutional support, which will be protected through complete anonymity.

Consent to Participate
  • By selecting “I Agree” below, you confirm that:
  • You have read and understood the purpose of this study.
  • You voluntarily agree to participate.
  • You understand that your responses will be kept anonymous and used only for academic research purposes.
Email *
Do you agree to participate in this study? *
Gender *
Age Group *
Highest Library Science Qualification *
Primary Work Responsibility (Select all that apply) *
Required
Years of Experience *
Cognitive & Emotional Impact of Copyright Anxiety *
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Always
I overthink whether a specific resource (e.g., journal article, book chapter, image) can be legally shared.
I feel guilty or stressed when users request access to materials with unclear copyright restrictions.
Uncertainty about copyright often delays my work processes (e.g., fulfilling interlibrary loan requests, processing digital resources).
I have avoided undertaking a potentially beneficial task due to fear of unintentional copyright infringement.
I frequently second-guess my interpretations and decisions regarding fair use/fair dealing provisions.
Copyright Anxiety in Digital & Research Contexts *
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Always
I feel anxious when uploading theses/dissertations to Shodhganga/IR due to copyright concerns.
I worry about legal risks when sharing teaching materials (e.g., scanned book chapters).
I am unsure about copyright compliance in research data sharing.
I am concerned about copyright issues when creating and sharing online course materials beyond simple scanned documents (e.g., videos, presentations).
I feel pressured by faculty/students to bypass copyright rules for academic needs.
Institutional Policies & Support *
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Always
My institution has clear guidelines on copyright for digital repositories.
I have access to a copyright officer/legal expert for guidance.
Publishers’ licensing terms (e.g., e-journals, databases) often confuse me.
My institution penalizes staff for copyright mistakes.
I receive adequate training on fair use/dealing in digital contexts.

What resources would help reduce your copyright anxiety? (Select all that apply)

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