Fundamental Science Practices Frequently Asked Questions

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]

Available guidance for authorship includes a Survey Manual chapter, FAQs, and other tools. [Read More]

The U.S. Geological Survey is committed to addressing derogatory and (or) offensive words, names, and phrases as detailed in a Survey Manual Instructional Memorandum and guidance by the Board of Geographic Names. [Read More]

No, a web page cannot be used to release new interpretive material. [Read More]

Access to or release of the USGS data may be restricted because of security, privacy, confidentiality, or other constraints, or data mentioned in the published product are not used as a basis for the conclusions. [Read More]

If the non-USGS funded data have not been made publicly available by the data owner, the USGS can suggest or request but cannot require the data be made publicly available. If the data are not made available, a statement indicating that at the time of publication the data were not available from the responsible non-USGS agency should be included in the associated information product. [Read More]

Citations referring to unpublished data are allowed when the citation refers to content or auxiliary information that is not essential to ensuring others can replicate the results or evaluate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]

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]

An ORCID iD is a unique, persistent identifier that can be obtained by researchers free of charge. An assigned ORCID iD is associated with an individual regardless of their affiliated institutions and records an author’s history of publications. [Read More]

All USGS authors (including coauthors) must have a ORCID iD account (set to public) in order to identify USGS authored or funded publications. The ORCID iD record should include the author’s first and last name, USGS email address, and USGS employment affiliation. [Read More]

An ORCID iD helps to highlight and clarify Bureau research and authorship by USGS employees. The Publications Warehouse also uses ORCID iDs to update and link to externally published information products by USGS authors. [Read More]

If the author has full-time, part-time, or volunteer (including emeritus) USGS affiliation or shared affiliation; or if the author is working under a USGS grant, memorandum of understanding, or other cooperative agreement, then FSP requirements must be followed regardless of whether the information product will be published by the USGS or by an outside entity. [Read more]

Authors are the ones responsible for the preparation and content of the information product. Authorship should be limited to the individual or individuals who make a substantial intellectual contribution to conception or design of the investigation; the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data; and the content of the information product. [Read more]

In such instances, group members determine the order of coauthorship from one information product to another as they deem appropriate. In the case of lengthy information products, group members determine if authorship of individual sections may be separately designated to recognize specialized contributions. [Read more]

The Bureau affiliation in outside publications should be shown first as “U.S. Geological Survey.” The author’s science center name may be listed next. If applicable, a laboratory or university affiliation follows. [Read more]

The byline includes the contract author's company name or location/town (if self-employed), followed by “Contractor to the U.S. Geological Survey.” [Read more]

These authors use a USGS affiliation in their byline if they are funded in full or in part by the Bureau to do the work or receive other support from the USGS in performance of the work. The byline includes the author’s specific relationship or role, followed by U.S. Geological Survey. [Read more]

Work completed prior to employment with the USGS is not subject to the FSP review and approval requirements. Work started prior to USGS employment and completed as part of the employee’s official duties with the USGS must follow FSP review and approval requirements. [Read more]

The primary authorship affiliation reflects where the work was done. The author can add their current USGS affiliation using, for example, "current address: U.S. Geological Survey, [insert Science Center name, city, state]," which indicates that the work was not done at or on behalf of the USGS.

Both the former and USGS affiliations are shown. The USGS affiliation is shown first, for example, "U.S. Geological Survey [insert Science Center name, city, state] and [insert where work was initiated]." Consult SPN if the work is to be released in USGS publications. [Read more]

Depending on the agreement and information product type, use one of the following statements: "Prepared in cooperation [collaboration] with (name of cooperator or collaborator)" or “Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey." [Read more]