Fundamental Science Practices Frequently Asked Questions
What USGS scientific information products must follow FSP?
How does USGS define peer review and what are the FSP peer review requirements?
How is approval granted and what documents at a minimum must be submitted to the approving official?
What is the foundation of FSP?
What Federal Government policies require the release of scientific data, and how does the USGS intend to meet these requirements?
What is considered USGS scientific software and what are the USGS requirements for releasing it?
What types of project progress information can be reported and why is that important?
The frequently asked questions (FAQs) represent a Bureau consensus to ensure interpretations of Fundamental Science Practices (FSP) policies are uniformly applied throughout the USGS. These FAQs provide further explanation of the FSP and related publishing policies, as well as describe the procedures and decision making necessary to meet the policy requirements.
FSP Background
FSP Background
Authorship
Authorship
Review
Review
Approval
Approval
USGS Publication Series
USGS Publication Series
Journal Publications
Journal Publications
Metadata
Metadata
Data
Data
Software
Software
Project Reporting and Cooperator Publications
Project Reporting and Cooperator Publications
Web Pages, Conferences, Abstracts, and Presentations
Web Pages, Conferences, Abstracts, and Presentations
Preprints
Preprints
The FAQs will be updated as necessary and changes in the form of additions or revisions are reflected by date (month/year) as they occur. Questions about the FSP that are not addressed here should be directed to gs_fspac@usgs.gov.
FSP Frequently Asked Questions
FSP Frequently Asked Questions
Filter Total Items: 207
How do I get started if I’m planning to write a manuscript to publish as a USGS publication series information product? [191] How do I get started if I’m planning to write a manuscript to publish as a USGS publication series information product? [191]
Refer to USGS series descriptions (their intent, audience, format) and discuss series options with your Science Center, Bureau Approving Official, and local Publishing Service Center Chief to determine which USGS series is appropriate to use for your published information product. [Read more]
Where can information about USGS publication series be found? [190] Where can information about USGS publication series be found? [190]
USGS series information products consist of a Professional Paper, Scientific Investigations Report, Scientific Investigations Map, Data Report, Techniques and Methods, Circular, Fact Sheet, General Information Product, or limited-use Open-File Report. [Read more]
What policy failures or issues can result in a manuscript’s rejection, revision, and resubmittal to a BAO? [064] What policy failures or issues can result in a manuscript’s rejection, revision, and resubmittal to a BAO? [064]
Issues in clear violation of FSP policy and procedures or other policies can result in rejection of a manuscript with a request for revision and resubmittal for approval. These issues include inappropriate/inadequate peer reviewers, incomplete peer review or reconciliation, inappropriate criticism of others, advocacy in presentation of results, lack of product endorsement disclaimers. [Read more]
What editorial failures or issues can require manuscript rejection, revision, and resubmittal to a BAO? [065] What editorial failures or issues can require manuscript rejection, revision, and resubmittal to a BAO? [065]
The BAOs recognize poorly written/edited manuscripts as not acceptable under general USGS standards for science presentation and clarity of expression and will return them for further work. Texts with editorial issues of sufficient scope and scale such that one cannot focus on content usually result in rejection. [Read more]
What is a reasonable timeframe for Bureau approval? [066] What is a reasonable timeframe for Bureau approval? [066]
In FY2017 the average approval time was six business days, but the length of time for Bureau approval depends on a number of factors including length and complexity. Contacting your BAO in advance is recommended. [Read more]
How will an author or Science Center Director be informed that a scientific information product has been approved by a BAO? [067] How will an author or Science Center Director be informed that a scientific information product has been approved by a BAO? [067]
The product’s lead or senior USGS author will receive an automated notice from the IPDS when a scientific information product has received Bureau approval. [Read more]
What happens after a manuscript for a scientific information product has received Bureau approval? [068] What happens after a manuscript for a scientific information product has received Bureau approval? [068]
After Bureau approval, the author returns the manuscript to the PSC [USGS Series Reports] or submits to the outside entity [e.g. journal editor, cooperator, etc]. For outside publications, author uploads approved manuscript and disseminates [IPDS record is closed and goes to the dark archive]. [Read more]
How is an author informed if a manuscript for a scientific information product is not approved? [069] How is an author informed if a manuscript for a scientific information product is not approved? [069]
The author is informed by the Science Center Director or designee after he/she receives a rejection notification from the IPDS.
What is the role of the approving official in selecting an appropriate publication release or outlet? [070] What is the role of the approving official in selecting an appropriate publication release or outlet? [070]
Selection of the appropriate USGS publication series or external outlet is made by the author and Science Center Director, and may include consultation with PSC staff, managers and BAOs. [Read more]
Where can I find information specifically related to the approval requirements for USGS scientific information products? [071] Where can I find information specifically related to the approval requirements for USGS scientific information products? [071]
Information related to obtaining Bureau approval for USGS science information products is found in SM 502.4 and who has the authority to approve is found in SM 205.18. A table summarizing these requirements and short FSP training modules are available. [Read more]
What information must be in IPDS for a publication under review, relevant to data/software to allow bureau approval from a BAO? [073] What information must be in IPDS for a publication under review, relevant to data/software to allow bureau approval from a BAO? [073]
The IPDS record of the manuscript must contain the IP number and DOI of the accompanying data/software release. [Read more]
How can authors manage the timing of Bureau approval to meet journal acceptance processes? [074] How can authors manage the timing of Bureau approval to meet journal acceptance processes? [074]
Bureau approval of USGS-authored products being published in journals occurs after the authors have reconciled the peer-review comments but before the products are sent back to the journals for acceptance. [Read more]
If a Bureau-approved manuscript is rejected for publication by one journal and is then submitted to another journal, does the manuscript have to go back to the BAO for approval? [075] If a Bureau-approved manuscript is rejected for publication by one journal and is then submitted to another journal, does the manuscript have to go back to the BAO for approval? [075]
Not necessarily. The author may resubmit the Bureau-approved manuscript to another journal. However, if substantial revisions are made in response to subsequent reviews, the IP could require further BAO review and approval. [Read more]
What is the difference between approved and provisional software? [076] What is the difference between approved and provisional software? [076]
In contrast to approved software, provisional or preliminary scientific software is subject to change and is not approved as a USGS information product but may be shared informally through a publicly accessible code repository following Science Center approval. [Read more]
When is USGS scientific software ready for approval and public release? [077] When is USGS scientific software ready for approval and public release? [077]
Scientific software is ready for approval and public release when a version of the software is no longer under development, includes the appropriate documentation, and has been reviewed in accordance with IM OSQI 2019-01 requirements. [Read more]
What are the approval requirements for USGS scientific software releases? [078] What are the approval requirements for USGS scientific software releases? [078]
USGS scientific software releases are approved by the Science Center Director, the authoritative copy is maintained on a USGS hosting platform (e.g. code.usgs.gov). Nonauthoritative copies can be shared on externally hosted platforms but the DOI must point to the USGS hosting platform. [Read more]
How is the production of approved USGS publication series information products handled? [079] How is the production of approved USGS publication series information products handled? [079]
Production support, including illustrations, graphics, design, and layout for approved USGS series scientific information products is performed by SPN staff working closely with authors. [Read more]
Is there flexibility in publication formats of USGS publication series scientific information products? [080] Is there flexibility in publication formats of USGS publication series scientific information products? [080]
Yes. Although all USGS publication series scientific information products (except Restricted-File Federal Interagency Reports) must meet USGS Visual Identity System standards, individual products may be designed with minimal text and extensive use of images. Contact your local PSC Chief. [Read more]
Where can I find guidance on how the USGS Publications Warehouse handles information products? [081] Where can I find guidance on how the USGS Publications Warehouse handles information products? [081]
Refer to the frequently asked questions about the USGS Publications Warehouse for guidance.
How are USGS publication series scientific information products revised (if errors are identified after release) or superseded (if the information is later updated or expanded)? [082] How are USGS publication series scientific information products revised (if errors are identified after release) or superseded (if the information is later updated or expanded)? [082]
Revising: A few USGS Series publications are designed to be periodically updated (versioning) – but most are not. Superseding: A USGS Series publication may, with Center Director concurrence, be superseded by a new product. Access to superseded versions is maintained. [Read more]
How is web-only release of science information handled? [083] How is web-only release of science information handled? [083]
It is the content, not the format or medium (e.g. web or print), that affects whether the FSP review and approval process is applicable. [Read more]