FSP FAQs: FSP Background
What Fundamental Science Practices (FSP) are, why they are required, and the relationship of FSP to the Science Publishing Network and Publications Warehouse. Includes basic requirements for product review and approval, disclaimers, recordkeeping, advocacy, acknowledgments, and personal communications.
What is the foundation of FSP? [001]
A set of fundamental principals that underlie USGS science practices including how research activities are planned and conducted and how the results of these research activities are appropriately reviewed, approved, and released. [Read More]
What USGS scientific information products must follow FSP? [002]
All USGS scientific information products must follow FSP if the author has full time, part time, or volunteer (including emeritus) USGS affiliation or a shared affiliation such as between USGS and a university. [Read More]
Are there any alternatives, exceptions or exclusions to following the FSP review and approval requirement? [003]
No. FSP review and approval requirements must be followed for all publicly released USGS science information products. [Read More]
What are the basic FSP requirements for review, approval, and release of scientific information products? [004]
Scientific information products generally receive peer review, data review, names review, editorial review, and policy review, which are followed by approval and release of the product. [Read More]
Where is guidance available on disclaimer statements used in USGS scientific information products? [005]
A list of various disclaimers is available at the link provided with this FAQ. [Read More]
Where is guidance available regarding advocacy and recommendations in USGS information products? [006]
Guidance on advocacy and recommendations is available at the link provided with this FAQ and includes examples of acceptable and unacceptable statements. [Read More]
Under what circumstances may "personal (written or oral) communications" be cited in scholarly publications? [007]
The use of written or oral communications is permitted when referring to auxiliary information that is not essential to ensuring others can replicate the results or evaluate the validity of the data used to support the conclusions of the scholarly publication. [Read More]
Where is guidance available that explains the general FSP review and approval procedures and responsibilities for scientific information product development? [009]
Available guidance includes procedures, charts, workflow diagrams, FAQs, and training modules. [Read More]
What are the recordkeeping requirements regarding research activities? [010]
Data collection and research planning activities are governed by documented work plans that ensure scientific goals are achievable and appropriate to the mission of the USGS and that research can be interpreted appropriately; these work plans are reviewed by appropriate experts and approved at some level higher than the project chief, such as the Science Center Director. [Read More]
Where can I find additional guidance on requirements related to authorship of USGS information products? [011]
Available guidance for authorship includes a Survey Manual chapter, FAQs, and other tools. [Read More]
What criteria and guidance are followed for acknowledgments included in information products? [017]
Acknowledgments in USGS scientific information products must be limited to only those that contributed materially to the scientific investigation and the information product and (or) those that provided content-specific assistance to authors during the related investigation. [Read More]