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 are metadata? [096] What are metadata? [096]
Metadata describe where, when, and why the data were collected; who collected the data; what types of data were collected; what processes were used to create the data; what quality assurance controls were used; and where the collected data are located. [Read more]
Why do we need metadata for data? [097] Why do we need metadata for data? [097]
Metadata enable users to find, understand, and reuse the data. A metadata record is required for including data in the Science Data Catalog. [Read more]
What do metadata records look like? [098] What do metadata records look like? [098]
Examples of metadata for data include those found at https://sofia.usgs.gov/exchange/evapotrans/metadata.html and other examples on the USGS Data Management metadata web page.
How do I create metadata? [099] How do I create metadata? [099]
Various tools for creating metadata are available on the USGS Data Management metadata web page.
When do I create metadata? [100] When do I create metadata? [100]
Authors should develop an approach for compiling the metadata record at the data-management planning stage. Metadata creation should be started as soon as the project begins. [Read more]
I have a lot of data packaged in different datasets and databases. For what packages of data do I produce a metadata record? [101] I have a lot of data packaged in different datasets and databases. For what packages of data do I produce a metadata record? [101]
It depends on how the data will be used. You need a metadata record that describes the data package that will be cited, which is generally also the package that will be searched for in the Science Data Catalog and public search engines. [Read more]
Are metadata records required for any size dataset? [102] Are metadata records required for any size dataset? [102]
There is no established size for a dataset that prescribes when a metadata record is required. A metadata record may not be needed if results are presented in their entirety in a published table. However, if the table contains analytical or summary results, or records are extracted from a larger dataset, it is appropriate to have a metadata record for the larger dataset. [Read more]
Are metadata records needed for scientific datasets and databases that are provided by non-USGS authors and are subsequently included in USGS datasets, databases, or publications? [103] Are metadata records needed for scientific datasets and databases that are provided by non-USGS authors and are subsequently included in USGS datasets, databases, or publications? [103]
Generally, yes, because these items become part of USGS scientific information products. When incorporated into USGS information products, non-USGS datasets or databases need to comply with USGS data release requirements. Metadata records include a link to the original source data. [Read more]
Are the output data generated by a model simulation also subject to the metadata requirement? [104] Are the output data generated by a model simulation also subject to the metadata requirement? [104]
Yes, model simulation data that will be made publicly available through the data release process need metadata. [Read more]
Do summary data tables in scientific information products such as USGS publication series products or outside publications (for example, journals) need metadata? [105] Do summary data tables in scientific information products such as USGS publication series products or outside publications (for example, journals) need metadata? [105]
No. The data behind the summary table, however, if not also presented in the body of the product, will need metadata and will need to go through the data release process.
Is USGS SPN editing required for metadata records? [106] Is USGS SPN editing required for metadata records? [106]
No, an SPN editorial review is not required, but Science Centers have the option of obtaining such a review for any product they deem appropriate. [Read more]
Where do the metadata records go once we have created them? [107] Where do the metadata records go once we have created them? [107]
Upon data release, copies of metadata records for USGS data-related products must be placed in the USGS Science Data Catalog. [Read more]
If my data are associated with a publication, where does the DOI pointing to that publication get placed in the metadata? [108] If my data are associated with a publication, where does the DOI pointing to that publication get placed in the metadata? [108]
The DOI for the associated publication should be placed in the “Cross-referenced: Citation: Online Linkage:” element of metadata record. [Read more]
If I cannot explain how the data were created in the metadata record, where do I place the URL or DOI for the product that describes the data creation process? [109] If I cannot explain how the data were created in the metadata record, where do I place the URL or DOI for the product that describes the data creation process? [109]
Citation documenting and explaining data creation should be added to the “Supplemental Information:” element of the metadata record. [Read more]
Where can I find additional guidance or information about metadata? [110] Where can I find additional guidance or information about metadata? [110]
Additional guidance on metadata creation, quality control and content review, tools, and best practices is available on the USGS Data Management Metadata web page.
Why must metadata records be cataloged in the USGS Science Data Catalog if the data are already available in an acceptable digital repository? [111] Why must metadata records be cataloged in the USGS Science Data Catalog if the data are already available in an acceptable digital repository? [111]
To be compliant with Federal requirements, metadata records must be cataloged in the USGS Science Data Catalog to identify USGS data assets distributed by USGS Trusted Digital Repositories (TDR) and by non-USGS repositories. [Read more]
What about using non-Federal data repositories to provide or host the required public access to my data? [112] What about using non-Federal data repositories to provide or host the required public access to my data? [112]
Use of non-Federal repositories is acceptable however the authoritative copy of the data must be hosted on USGS servers or a federally maintained data service. A metadata record must be included in the USGS Science Data Catalog that includes a DOI link to the data source. [Read more]
What data responsibilities need to be included in cooperator/collaborator agreements or contracts? [113] What data responsibilities need to be included in cooperator/collaborator agreements or contracts? [113]
The agreement or contract with the cooperators/collaborators should specify data management responsibilities, including curation and release. This information should also be included in the USGS project DMP; scientific data must be reviewed and include metadata. [Read more].
What are some examples of a dataset and a database? [114] What are some examples of a dataset and a database? [114]
Aggregated data from an analytical laboratory or measurements made directly during fieldwork are examples of datasets. If datasets are combined into a searchable product or system, the product or system is a database. The National Water Information System (NWIS) is a database; data retrieved from NWIS are datasets. [Read more].
What are the requirements related to planning and conducting data collection and research? [115] What are the requirements related to planning and conducting data collection and research? [115]
USGS data collection and research activities are governed by work plans. Work plans ensure scientific goals are achievable and appropriate to the mission of the USGS. [Read more]
How do I reference and cite the data supporting my publication? [116] How do I reference and cite the data supporting my publication? [116]
Include a complete bibliographic citation for the data source in the references section of the publication. Refer to the USGS Data Management website section titled "Citing Your Data." [Read more]