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What is the distinction in software release requirements between scripts used to prepare data for analysis or graphical visualizations and models or other packages of source code? [141]

By Office of Science Quality and Integrity

Author should work together with their supervisor and Science Center Director to determine if a set of source code is appropriate for release as a USGS scientific software release or if the algorithms or statistical methods would alternatively be more appropriate for inclusion in an associated manuscript or the metadata of a data release. [Read more]

The requirements described in IM OSQI 2019-01 do not address every case where USGS scientific software and related code is produced and released. Rather, the IM policy lays out a set of principles and practices that should be followed in all cases, and additional guidance is provided in these FAQs and other documentation to supplement the IM requirements. It is the author's responsibility to work together with their Science Center Director to determine if a set of source code is appropriate for release as a USGS scientific software release or if the algorithms or statistical methods would alternatively be more appropriate for inclusion in an associated manuscript or the metadata of a data release.