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.
Filter Total Items: 16
What is the foundation of FSP? [001] 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] 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] 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] 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] 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] 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] 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]
How are FSP and the Science Publishing Network (SPN) requirements related? [008] 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]
Where is guidance available that explains the general FSP review and approval procedures and responsibilities for scientific information product development? [009] 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] 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] 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] 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]
What is generative artificial intelligence (AI) and how can it be used in USGS scientific information products intended for public release? [209] What is generative artificial intelligence (AI) and how can it be used in USGS scientific information products intended for public release? [209]
Generative AI refers to AI systems capable of generating text, images, or other media in response to prompts by the user. [Read more]
Are there any restrictions for using generative artificial intelligence (AI) outputs directly in USGS scientific information products? [210] Are there any restrictions for using generative artificial intelligence (AI) outputs directly in USGS scientific information products? [210]
Yes, there are restrictions to consider including authorship, images, peer review, and information technology system security. [Read more]
How does USGS ensure the reliability and accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated outputs? [211] How does USGS ensure the reliability and accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated outputs? [211]
Adherence to FSP ensures all USGS scientific information, including AI-generated outputs, is reliable and accurate. [Read more]
How is unpublished, sensitive, and proprietary USGS information safeguarded when using generative artificial intelligence (AI)? [212] How is unpublished, sensitive, and proprietary USGS information safeguarded when using generative artificial intelligence (AI)? [212]
Authors must be aware of implications regarding privacy, confidentiality, and intellectual property rights before they consider using such information in AI applications. [Read more]