FSP FAQs: Journal Publications
Fundamental Science Practices for releasing federally funded USGS research (manuscripts, data, software) in outside (e.g., journals) and USGS (e.g., USGS Series Reports, ScienceBase) outlets, as required by the public access plan. The Frequently Asked Questions include information on approvals, web pages, preprints, metadata, digital repositories, and what qualifies as a data release.
Why must the accepted manuscript be placed in the IPDS after it is published by the journal? [145]
The IPDS serves as an archive for short-term, temporary records. In the event the journal does not provide free public access, the accepted manuscript that is placed in the IPDS can be provided to the public through the USGS Publications Warehouse. This will ensure the USGS meets the OSTP public access requirement for federally funded research. [Read more]
What if a USGS coauthor finds out from the non-USGS lead author that the scientific information product has been accepted by the journal and will be published more quickly than expected? [144]
Inform your supervisor, Center Director, and BAO to expedite review and approvals; BAOs may be able to move the product up in their queues. Manuscripts that will be posted online as soon as they are received by the journal should obtain Bureau approval prior to submission. To avoid these situations, discuss the USGS FSP process with coauthors before a manuscript is sent to a journal. [Read more]
A journal requests that a USGS scientist contribute to a “book review”—what are the FSP review and approval requirements? [169]
The intent of the book review is to address the content, not advance the notion of purchase. Book reviews are, by definition, new interpretive content. As for other new interpretive science information, two peer reviews are required and Bureau approval by a BAO is required for the book review prior to it being submitted to the journal for publication. [Read more]
How is USGS scientific software released? [095]
Scientific software can be released as either approved or provisional software. Software can be released as a stand-alone product, as a separate product associated with another USGS scientific information product, or released in association with an outside publication. [Read more]
Can tables, graphs, and other illustrations showing data that support the scholarly conclusions in a publication with USGS authors qualify as a data release? [094]
No. Representations of data in tables, graphs, plots, maps, and other illustrations in such publications cannot qualify as a data release because they do not comply with open data requirements described in the USGS Public Access Plan.
What data qualify as USGS funded scientific data and therefore are subject to USGS open data requirements and must be released to the public? [093]
USGS-funded scientific data are data collected with federally appropriated funds provided to the USGS as part of the congressionally-enacted USGS budget. Data collected with funding from another Federal or a non-Federal cooperator/collaborator are not considered USGS funded data. [Read more]
How are raw data handled? [092]
Raw data refers to digital and nondigital data that are unprocessed and unverified. Raw data must be archived according to the USGS records disposition schedule, can be released as either provisional or approved data, and may be subject to FOIA requirements. [Read more]
What outlets are available for releasing data? [091]
The preferred path for USGS data release is through USGS data repositories or portals (e.g. Science Base, NWIS, BioData) to ensure that the USGS maintains the authoritative copy of the data it releases. [Read more]
If a non-USGS lead author does not release data collected using Federal funds, is the USGS coauthor responsible for providing public access to those data? [090]
Regardless of authorship, if the research was federally funded, then the funding agency is responsible for providing public access to those data. [Read more]
What Federal Government policies require the release of scientific data, and how does the USGS intend to meet these requirements? [088]
OSTP's February 22, 2013 memorandum Increasing Access to the Results of Federally Funded Scientific Research and OMB's memorandum M-13-13, Open Data Policy—Managing Information as an Asset require the release of scientific data. The Public Access to Results of Federally Funded Research at the USGS provides information related to how the Bureau meets these OSTP and OMB requirements. [Read more]
Where can I find additional guidance related to releasing USGS scientific data? [087]
Additional guidance is available on the USGS Data Management web page and the FSP web page.
May USGS authors use preprint servers to distribute their journal manuscripts prior to Bureau approval and journal publication? [086]
No. A preprint is an author’s original version of a scholarly or scientific paper that is posted publicly without peer review and Bureau approval and thus violates FSP (SM 502.4). Conversely, Bureau approved manuscripts may be posted to preprint servers. [Read more]