Fundamental Science Practices Frequently Asked Questions
What USGS scientific information products must follow FSP?
How does USGS define peer review and what are the FSP peer review requirements?
How is approval granted and what documents at a minimum must be submitted to the approving official?
What is the foundation of FSP?
What Federal Government policies require the release of scientific data, and how does the USGS intend to meet these requirements?
What is considered USGS scientific software and what are the USGS requirements for releasing it?
What types of project progress information can be reported and why is that important?
The frequently asked questions (FAQs) represent a Bureau consensus to ensure interpretations of Fundamental Science Practices (FSP) policies are uniformly applied throughout the USGS. These FAQs provide further explanation of the FSP and related publishing policies, as well as describe the procedures and decision making necessary to meet the policy requirements.
FSP Background
FSP Background
Authorship
Authorship
Review
Review
Approval
Approval
USGS Publication Series
USGS Publication Series
Journal Publications
Journal Publications
Metadata
Metadata
Data
Data
Software
Software
Project Reporting and Cooperator Publications
Project Reporting and Cooperator Publications
Web Pages, Conferences, Abstracts, and Presentations
Web Pages, Conferences, Abstracts, and Presentations
Preprints
Preprints
The FAQs will be updated as necessary and changes in the form of additions or revisions are reflected by date (month/year) as they occur. Questions about the FSP that are not addressed here should be directed to gs_fspac@usgs.gov.
FSP Frequently Asked Questions
FSP Frequently Asked Questions
Filter Total Items: 217
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]
How can authors manage the timing of Bureau approval to meet journal acceptance processes? [074] How can authors manage the timing of Bureau approval to meet journal acceptance processes? [074]
Bureau approval of USGS-authored products being published in journals occurs after the authors have reconciled the peer-review comments but before the products are sent back to the journals for acceptance. [Read more]
If a Bureau-approved manuscript is rejected for publication by one journal and is then submitted to another journal, does the manuscript have to go back to the BAO for approval? [075] If a Bureau-approved manuscript is rejected for publication by one journal and is then submitted to another journal, does the manuscript have to go back to the BAO for approval? [075]
Not necessarily. The author may resubmit the Bureau-approved manuscript to another journal. However, if substantial revisions are made in response to subsequent reviews, the IP could require further BAO review and approval. [Read more]
What are the differences between an open-source software project and a scientific software information product? [076] What are the differences between an open-source software project and a scientific software information product? [076]
While open-source software projects and scientific software information products are both publicly accessible, they differ in significant ways. [Read more]
When may and when must software be released as a USGS scientific software information product? [077] When may and when must software be released as a USGS scientific software information product? [077]
Scientific software is ready for approval and public release when a version of the software is no longer under development, includes the appropriate documentation, and has been reviewed in accordance with SM 502.11 requirements. [Read more]
How is the production of approved USGS publication series information products handled? [079] How is the production of approved USGS publication series information products handled? [079]
Production support, including illustrations, graphics, design, and layout for approved USGS series scientific information products is performed by SPN staff working closely with authors. [Read more]
Is there flexibility in publication formats of USGS publication series scientific information products? [080] Is there flexibility in publication formats of USGS publication series scientific information products? [080]
Yes. Although all USGS publication series scientific information products (except Restricted-File Federal Interagency Reports) must meet USGS Visual Identity System standards, individual products may be designed with minimal text and extensive use of images. Contact your local PSC Chief. [Read more]
Where can I find guidance on how the USGS Publications Warehouse handles information products? [081] Where can I find guidance on how the USGS Publications Warehouse handles information products? [081]
Refer to the frequently asked questions about the USGS Publications Warehouse for guidance.
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] 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]
How is web-only release of science information handled? [083] How is web-only release of science information handled? [083]
It is the content, not the format or medium (e.g. web or print), that affects whether the FSP review and approval process is applicable. [Read more]
Who can post approved USGS publication series scientific information products to the web? [084] Who can post approved USGS publication series scientific information products to the web? [084]
All USGS publication series scientific information products are posted to the web by SPN staff. Science Centers may link to and add USGS publication references in their project and center web pages. [Read more]
What is the FSP policy for the release of USGS science information in journals and other outside publications? [085] What is the FSP policy for the release of USGS science information in journals and other outside publications? [085]
As with information products released by the USGS, the review and approval requirements for external information products are governed by FSP. Refer to SM 1100.4 for policy on outside publications. [Read more]
May USGS authors use preprint servers to distribute their journal manuscripts? [086] May USGS authors use preprint servers to distribute their journal manuscripts? [086]
Yes, authors may use preprint servers in accordance with the guidance provided for preprints [Read more].
Where can I find additional guidance related to releasing USGS scientific data? [087] 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.
What Federal Government policies require the release of scientific data, and how does the USGS intend to meet these requirements? [088] 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]
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] 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 outlets are available for releasing data? [091] 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]
How are raw data handled? [092] 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 data qualify as USGS funded scientific data and therefore are subject to USGS open data requirements and must be released to the public? [093] 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]
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] 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.
How is USGS scientific software released? [095] How is USGS scientific software released? [095]
USGS scientific software information products must be released following the requirements described in SM 502.11 and may be cited like any other published work. [Read More]