Licensed Data Guide
Licensed Data Guide
Section titled “Licensed Data Guide”Most resources in the BTAA Geoportal are free and openly available. The Geoportal also includes records for licensed databases that may be available to researchers affiliated with a Big Ten Academic Alliance university.
This guide explains how to identify licensed resources, understand their records, and access them through your institution.
What does “licensed data” mean?
Section titled “What does “licensed data” mean?”Licensed data is available through a subscription purchased by an individual university or by multiple universities through the Big Ten Academic Alliance. Access is generally limited to current students, faculty, and staff at participating institutions.
Unlike public Geoportal resources, licensed data records usually do not link directly to downloadable datasets. Available content, download options, and file formats vary by database.
How to find licensed data in the BTAA Geoportal
Section titled “How to find licensed data in the BTAA Geoportal”Licensed resources can be identified in two ways:
- A lock icon appears next to the resource title.
- The record is labeled Restricted under access rights.
To find these resources, select Restricted under the Access filter in the left sidebar.
Browse all licensed resources in the BTAA Geoportal.
How to access licensed data
Section titled “How to access licensed data”On the Geoportal record, select your institution’s name in the lower-right corner. You will be directed to your institution’s library catalog or database page, where you can sign in and check whether you have access.
Access procedures vary by institution and database.