FSP FAQs: USGS Publication Series
Fundamental Science Practices for Science Publishing Network production and publication of all USGS Series product types; includes information on revising a product post-publication.
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]
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 is the difference between a cooperator publication and a USGS Restricted-File Federal Interagency Report (RFFIR)? [188]
A cooperator publication with scientific contributions from USGS authors is released by the cooperator on a publicly accessible website and is citable. Conversely, RFFIRs are limited-use USGS publication series information products prepared by the USGS and provided as confidential communications only to other government or international entities, and are not citable. [Read more]
How are FSP and the Science Publishing Network (SPN) requirements related? [008]
FSP requires that USGS scientific information products conform with established USGS publishing requirements and procedures for production and release; the SPN is the Bureau’s organizational unit that is the sole source for providing publishing support services and related needs. [Read More]
What are the entities for which I can and cannot prepare RFFIRs? [152]
The Restricted-File Federal Interagency Reports (RFFIR) series is to be used for confidential communication between USGS and a U.S. Government agency, foreign government or agency, or international entity funding partner. RFFIRs cannot be produced for private communications. [Read more]
Can I cite or index RFFIRs on a USGS public-facing web page? [151]
Restricted-File Federal Interagency Reports (RFFIRs) are not to be referenced, posted, or indexed on USGS public-facing web pages or included in a list of publications on individual staff profile pages. Because RFFIRs are not citable, they are not to be indexed in the USGS Publications Warehouse or included in a list of publications on individual staff profile pages.
How can I convert an RFFIR publicly released by the receiving U.S. Government agency, foreign government or agency, or international entity funding partner into a USGS Open-File Report (OFR) to be cited and indexed in the Publications Warehouse? [150]
Restricted-File Federal Interagency Reports (RFFIRs) are not public and cannot be cited, it may be worthwhile to publicly release these reports in other USGS series, such as Open File Report (OFR), once deemed appropriate to do so. A new IPDS record for OFR should be created, following the standard process for review, approval, and coordination with the Science Publishing Network. [Read more]
As an author, what is my responsibility for maintaining official copies of my Bureau-approved RFFIR? [149]
A printed copy of each Restricted-File Federal Interagency Report (RFFIR) must be sent to the USGS Library (Reston) for the Library’s limited-access storage. Another copy of the RFFIR should be maintained with other project material in accordance with the Department’s policy regarding official records. [Read more]
How do RFFIR series products relate to the cooperator publication product type in the IPDS? [148]
Restricted-File Federal Interagency Reports (RIFFIRs) are confidential reports produced by the USGS solely for a U.S. Government agency, foreign government or agency, or international entity funding partner. Alternatively, a cooperator publication is a scientific information product published by a USGS author within a cooperator’s report series. [Read more]
What are the possible format options for RFFIRs? [147]
A letter report is one possible format for a Restricted-File Federal Interagency Report (RFFIR). An optional template for RFFIRs is available. [Read more]
Under what circumstances should products in the Restricted-File Federal Interagency Report (RFFIR) series (formerly Administrative Report series) be prepared? [146]
These limited-use publication series products are prepared when directed by USGS management in concert with or independent of a request from a U.S. Government agency, foreign government or agency, or international entity funding partner. RFFIRs are directed and (or) requested when investigations involve threatened or endangered species or are in support of confidential negotiations or litigation.
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]