FSP FAQs: Review
Fundamental Science Practices for all aspects of product reviews, including the number and type of reviews required for each product type, who may serve as a peer reviewer, rigor of peer reviews, review requirements for influential products as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, and Bureau review and approval.
Filter Total Items: 32
What requirements apply to USGS data made available in non-USGS acceptable digital repositories? [056] What requirements apply to USGS data made available in non-USGS acceptable digital repositories? [056]
For USGS data products stored in non-USGS repositories, review, approval, release, and preservation requirements apply. A copy of the metadata record that describes the data asset and includes a resolvable Digital Object Identifier (DOI), must be added to the USGS Science Data Catalog, using the individual metadata upload page. [Read more]
What is a metadata review, and who can perform it? [057] What is a metadata review, and who can perform it? [057]
A metadata review includes both checking for compliance with metadata standards by using a recommended metadata validation tool and performing quality checks. A minimum of one metadata review by a qualified reviewer is required for all USGS scientific data prepared for release. The role of the metadata reviewer is to evaluate the accuracy, completeness, and usability of the metadata. [Read more]
What is the review and approval process for news releases, letters to the editor, and opinion pieces? [058] What is the review and approval process for news releases, letters to the editor, and opinion pieces? [058]
News releases, opinion pieces (commonly called op-eds), and letters to the editor are under the purview of the USGS Office of Communications and Publishing (OCAP) and are governed by review, approval and release processes as detailed in SM 500.5. Refer to delegated Bureau approval authority for additional information about approval of scientific news media products. [Read more]
How do FSP requirements for release of scientific software compare to those for release of scientific data? [060] How do FSP requirements for release of scientific software compare to those for release of scientific data? [060]
USGS scientific software information products and scientific data products follow similar FSP requirements for review and approval. Both are considered noninterpretive information. Scientific data are subject to the requirements of the OPEN Government Data Act while scientific software information products are subject to the SHARE IT Act. [Read more]
What information must be in IPDS for a publication under review, relevant to data/software to allow bureau approval from a BAO? [073] What information must be in IPDS for a publication under review, relevant to data/software to allow bureau approval from a BAO? [073]
The IPDS record of the manuscript must contain the IP number and DOI of the accompanying data/software release. [Read more]
Who may review data and metadata? [124] Who may review data and metadata? [124]
A qualified individual or separate individuals possessing technical expertise, familiarity with data may conduct data and metadata reviews. [Read more]
What is a names review? [204] What is a names review? [204]
A names review verifies that technical, scientific nomenclature is correct and used appropriately; Tribal names are federally recognized; and words, names, or phrases that may be viewed as derogatory or offensive are not used. [Read more]
What are the requirements for a names review? [205] What are the requirements for a names review? [205]
A names review is required for all USGS information products that include technical biologic, hydrologic, geographic, geologic, and (or) Tribal names. The names review verifies spelling, use, and style in the text, tables, figures, captions, charts, appendices, plates, and supplements and should be completed prior to Bureau approval [Read more]
Who can conduct a names review? [206] Who can conduct a names review? [206]
Anyone possessing appropriate subject matter expertise may complete a names review, separately or as part of a peer review. Reviewer should not be directly associated with work being reviewed. [Read more]
How is a names review documented in the internal Information Product Data System (IPDS)? [207] How is a names review documented in the internal Information Product Data System (IPDS)? [207]
A names review is documented in the internal IPDS by adding a reviewer of type “Names review” on the Reviewers tab. Documentation provided by the reviewer, and reconciliation by the author, should be uploaded to the IPDS Documents tab. [Read more]
What resources are available to support a names review? [208] What resources are available to support a names review? [208]
In addition to internal Suggestions to Authors of the Reports of the USGS, 8th Edition, authoritative sources are available for biologic, geologic, geographic, and hydrologic names; Tribal names; and derogatory names, words, and(or) phrases. [Read more]