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
Is USGS SPN editing required for metadata records? [106] Is USGS SPN editing required for metadata records? [106]
No, an SPN editorial review is not required, but Science Centers have the option of obtaining such a review for any product they deem appropriate. [Read more]
Where do the metadata records go once we have created them? [107] Where do the metadata records go once we have created them? [107]
Upon data release, copies of metadata records for USGS data-related products must be placed in the USGS Science Data Catalog. [Read more]
If my data are associated with a publication, where does the DOI pointing to that publication get placed in the metadata? [108] If my data are associated with a publication, where does the DOI pointing to that publication get placed in the metadata? [108]
The DOI for the associated publication should be placed in the “Cross-referenced: Citation: Online Linkage:” element of metadata record. [Read more]
If I cannot explain how the data were created in the metadata record, where do I place the URL or DOI for the product that describes the data creation process? [109] If I cannot explain how the data were created in the metadata record, where do I place the URL or DOI for the product that describes the data creation process? [109]
Citation documenting and explaining data creation should be added to the “Supplemental Information:” element of the metadata record. [Read more]
Where can I find additional guidance or information about metadata? [110] Where can I find additional guidance or information about metadata? [110]
Additional guidance on metadata creation, quality control and content review, tools, and best practices is available on the USGS Data Management Metadata web page.
Why must metadata records be cataloged in the USGS Science Data Catalog if the data are already available in an acceptable digital repository? [111] Why must metadata records be cataloged in the USGS Science Data Catalog if the data are already available in an acceptable digital repository? [111]
To be compliant with Federal requirements, metadata records must be cataloged in the USGS Science Data Catalog to identify USGS data assets distributed by USGS Trusted Digital Repositories (TDR) and by non-USGS repositories. [Read more]
What about using non-Federal data repositories to provide or host the required public access to my data? [112] What about using non-Federal data repositories to provide or host the required public access to my data? [112]
Use of non-Federal repositories is acceptable however the authoritative copy of the data must be hosted on USGS servers or a federally maintained data service. A metadata record must be included in the USGS Science Data Catalog that includes a DOI link to the data source. [Read more]
What data responsibilities need to be included in cooperator/collaborator agreements or contracts? [113] What data responsibilities need to be included in cooperator/collaborator agreements or contracts? [113]
The agreement or contract with the cooperators/collaborators should specify data management responsibilities, including curation and release. This information should also be included in the USGS project DMP; scientific data must be reviewed and include metadata. [Read more].
What are some examples of a dataset and a database? [114] What are some examples of a dataset and a database? [114]
Aggregated data from an analytical laboratory or measurements made directly during fieldwork are examples of datasets. If datasets are combined into a searchable product or system, the product or system is a database. The National Water Information System (NWIS) is a database; data retrieved from NWIS are datasets. [Read more].
What are the requirements related to planning and conducting data collection and research? [115] What are the requirements related to planning and conducting data collection and research? [115]
USGS data collection and research activities are governed by work plans. Work plans ensure scientific goals are achievable and appropriate to the mission of the USGS. [Read more]
How do I reference and cite the data supporting my publication? [116] How do I reference and cite the data supporting my publication? [116]
Include a complete bibliographic citation for the data source in the references section of the publication. Refer to the USGS Data Management website section titled "Citing Your Data." [Read more]
What is a USGS author's obligation when data collected by an outside source are used (with permission) in a USGS scientific information product and have not been publicly released by the data collector, and who is responsible for releasing the data? [117] What is a USGS author's obligation when data collected by an outside source are used (with permission) in a USGS scientific information product and have not been publicly released by the data collector, and who is responsible for releasing the data? [117]
If the party collecting the data is another Federal agency, that agency has the primary responsibility for releasing the data according to their specific requirements. [Read more]
What are FSP requirements for release of research data collected by USGS but funded by external cooperators? [118] What are FSP requirements for release of research data collected by USGS but funded by external cooperators? [118]
If data are collected by USGS employees, students, emeritus and other volunteers, and contractors to benefit the USGS, or using USGS funds, it is the responsibility of the USGS to ensure appropriate release. An agreement between the cooperator/collaborator and USGS should specify the data management responsibilities. [Read more]
What are the recordkeeping requirements regarding research activities? [119] What are the recordkeeping requirements regarding research activities? [119]
Documentation and recordkeeping requirements associated with data collection and research activities are found in the USGS Mission-Specific Disposition Schedules and General Records Disposition Schedules.
What are the review and approval requirements for releasing scientific data to the public? [120] What are the review and approval requirements for releasing scientific data to the public? [120]
Data intended for public release are subject to USGS FSP requirements including one data review and one metadata review, reconciliation, and Bureau approval by Science Center Directors or their designees. Data are never placed in the IPDS. [Read more]
Can I login and enter data into the USGS ScienceBase before those data have been approved for release? [122] Can I login and enter data into the USGS ScienceBase before those data have been approved for release? [122]
Yes. Users with restricted/private permissions may manage data in ScienceBase prior to formal release. [Read more]
Where do I get a DOI for USGS data that has been approved for release? [123] Where do I get a DOI for USGS data that has been approved for release? [123]
DOIs are assigned during data release preparation in separate USGS repositories. Additional info available on data management website. [Read more]
Who may review data and metadata? [124] Who may review data and metadata? [124]
A qualified individual or separate individuals possessing technical expertise, familiarity with data may conduct data and metadata reviews. [Read more]
May I obtain a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) for historical USGS data created before October 1, 2016, when the USGS public-access requirements went into effect? [125] May I obtain a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) for historical USGS data created before October 1, 2016, when the USGS public-access requirements went into effect? [125]
Yes, you may obtain a DOI for these data. Considerations apply. A DOI may be obtained using the USGS DOI Creation Tool. [Read more]
What are data management plans or DMPs and why do I need to create them? [126] What are data management plans or DMPs and why do I need to create them? [126]
A DMP outlines data management considerations of a given project to meet responsibility of OMB open data requirements. [Read more]
What information is included in a DMP? [127] What information is included in a DMP? [127]
A DMP includes information about the data and metadata standards to be used and intended actions for managing data. [Read more]