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 is a USGS author's obligation when data collected by an outside source are used (with permission) in a USGS scientific information product and have not been publicly released by the data collector, and who is responsible for releasing the data? [117] What is a USGS author's obligation when data collected by an outside source are used (with permission) in a USGS scientific information product and have not been publicly released by the data collector, and who is responsible for releasing the data? [117]
If the party collecting the data is another Federal agency, that agency has the primary responsibility for releasing the data according to their specific requirements. [Read more]
What are FSP requirements for release of research data collected by USGS but funded by external cooperators? [118] What are FSP requirements for release of research data collected by USGS but funded by external cooperators? [118]
If data are collected by USGS employees, students, emeritus and other volunteers, and contractors to benefit the USGS, or using USGS funds, it is the responsibility of the USGS to ensure appropriate release. An agreement between the cooperator/collaborator and USGS should specify the data management responsibilities. [Read more]
What are the recordkeeping requirements regarding research activities? [119] What are the recordkeeping requirements regarding research activities? [119]
Documentation and recordkeeping requirements associated with data collection and research activities are found in the USGS Mission-Specific Disposition Schedules and General Records Disposition Schedules.
What are the review and approval requirements for releasing scientific data to the public? [120] What are the review and approval requirements for releasing scientific data to the public? [120]
Data intended for public release are subject to USGS FSP requirements including one data review and one metadata review, reconciliation, and Bureau approval by Science Center Directors or their designees. Data are never placed in the IPDS. [Read more]
Can I login and enter data into the USGS ScienceBase before those data have been approved for release? [122] Can I login and enter data into the USGS ScienceBase before those data have been approved for release? [122]
Yes. Users with restricted/private permissions may manage data in ScienceBase prior to formal release. [Read more]
Where do I get a DOI for USGS data that has been approved for release? [123] Where do I get a DOI for USGS data that has been approved for release? [123]
DOIs are assigned during data release preparation in separate USGS repositories. Additional info available on data management website. [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]
May I obtain a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) for historical USGS data created before October 1, 2016, when the USGS public-access requirements went into effect? [125] May I obtain a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) for historical USGS data created before October 1, 2016, when the USGS public-access requirements went into effect? [125]
Yes, you may obtain a DOI for these data. Considerations apply. A DOI may be obtained using the USGS DOI Creation Tool. [Read more]
What are data management plans or DMPs and why do I need to create them? [126] What are data management plans or DMPs and why do I need to create them? [126]
A DMP outlines data management considerations of a given project to meet responsibility of OMB open data requirements. [Read more]
What information is included in a DMP? [127] What information is included in a DMP? [127]
A DMP includes information about the data and metadata standards to be used and intended actions for managing data. [Read more]
What is the relationship between a project work plan and a DMP? [128] What is the relationship between a project work plan and a DMP? [128]
The overall project work plan of every research project must include a DMP. [Read more]
Where can I find some DMP examples? [129] Where can I find some DMP examples? [129]
DMP examples from various institutions can be found at https://dmptool.org/.
What tools are available to help me create my DMP? [130] What tools are available to help me create my DMP? [130]
The USGS Data Management website provides guidance on developing DMPs and understanding data management best practices. [Read more]
Can a Science Center-wide plan be leveraged for my project-specific DMP? [131] Can a Science Center-wide plan be leveraged for my project-specific DMP? [131]
Yes. Some centers have developed guidance for data management. It is important that project-specific details are captured in the DMP. [Read more]
What if I do not know all the details of how my data will be managed? [132] What if I do not know all the details of how my data will be managed? [132]
A data management plan (DMP) is helpful for staff in your program or center thinking about and become committed to data management responsibilities before a project begins. You may need data management input from other staff and experts. If data management details change, your DMP should be updated to reflect those changes. [Read more]
Who is responsible for ensuring that DMPs are developed and implemented for each project within a center or office? [133] Who is responsible for ensuring that DMPs are developed and implemented for each project within a center or office? [133]
Science Center Directors or their designees ensure compliance with data management requirements for data produced in their centers or offices and consult with other managers, scientists, and staff as needed with regard to carrying out data management activities, including ensuring the development of data management plans. [Read more]
What disclaimer statement(s) are required for a USGS scientific software information product? [134] What disclaimer statement(s) are required for a USGS scientific software information product? [134]
Software projects are hosted within a version control system (VCS). [Read more]
How are USGS scientific software information products versioned? [135] How are USGS scientific software information products versioned? [135]
USGS scientific software information products should follow semantic versioning. [Read more]
May I contribute code to open-source projects, and if so, how should I identify and document my contributions? [136] May I contribute code to open-source projects, and if so, how should I identify and document my contributions? [136]
Yes. USGS contributions of custom-developed code to existing software licensed through third-party entities are encouraged. However, when possible, these contributions should be annotated as freely available in the public domain. [Read more]
How must USGS scientific software information products be licensed? [137] How must USGS scientific software information products be licensed? [137]
In the United States, an original work of the U.S. Government is not eligible for copyright protection (17 USC 105a) and is automatically in the public domain. These works should include a license file with a public domain dedication statement to notify the public of the copyright status of the software. [Read more]
What is required to comply with Federal Source Code Policy? [138] What is required to comply with Federal Source Code Policy? [138]
Generally, source code associated with USGS software releases must be made available at minimum for Federal Government-wide reuse. Source code for USGS software releases must include an appropriate open-source license or secured re-use rights; be included in the USGS source code inventory; be accompanied by documentation to facilitate reuse and participation by third parties. [Read more]