Portraits of American Life Study

Studies like the Portraits of American Life Study (PALS) can only happen with the participation of our respondents. We take many measures to protect their identity and the confidentiality of their responses. By downloading the data you are agreeing to comply with the following requirements with respect to using the PALS data.

•	Do not attempt to identify individuals from this study. Report immediately to the Portraits of American Life Study at PALS@rice.edu any disclosure of study participant identity as well as any discovery of flaws or errors in the data or documentation files.
•	Do not let other persons use this data, except for staff or students for whom you are directly responsible. Co-investigators and persons not under your direct supervision are required to submit separate requests to download the data files.
•	Use the data for research or descriptive purposes only.
•	Acknowledge use of the PALS data in any research reports, papers, or publications based on the data with the following citation: Emerson, Michael O., and David Sikkink. Portraits of American Life Study, 1st Wave, 2006.
•	Provide information regarding publications based on the data obtained from the PALS by emailing the full citation to PALS@rice.edu.

Failure to comply with the above stated requirements will result in a prohibition against future receipt of PALS data and may result in legal action to the extent allowed by law.

Note to Users

Because the PALS data was collected using a complex sampling technique, statistical analysis should be conducted using an advanced module. If using SPSS, the add-on module SPSS Complex Samples Module should be used. If using Stata, the "svy:" command must be used. See "Controlling for Complex Sampling Design" for more information.

Disclaimers

While the PALS staff makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the data at this site, users are reminded that errors may be present. THE DATA IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITH ANY AND ALL FAULTS INCLUDED. PALS MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. PALS IS NOT LIABLE TO YOU FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, WHETHER FORESEEABLE OR UNFORESEEABLE.

YOU AGREE TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND AND HOLD HARMLESS PALS, RICE UNIVERSITY, AND ITS TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND REPRESENTATIVES, FROM ANY AND ALL DEMANDS, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, DAMAGES, LOSSES, LIABILITIES, COSTS AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COURT COSTS, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR ACCESS OR USE OF THE SITE OR THE DATA OR YOUR VIOLATION OF ANY OF THE TERMS OR CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT. This paragraph shall survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement.

If the whole or any part of a provision of this Agreement is void, unenforceable or illegal for any reason, that provision will be severed and the remainder of the provisions of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect as if this Agreement had been executed with the invalid provision eliminated.

This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced under the laws of the United States and the State of Texas, without giving effect to its conflicts or choice of law principles. You are responsible and liable for complying with all applicable laws in connection with your access or use of the Site. In the event a dispute arises related to this Agreement or your access or use of the Service or the Repository, you agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts located in Harris County, Texas.