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
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Do cooperator publications require a digital object identifier (DOI)? [184] Do cooperator publications require a digital object identifier (DOI)? [184]
Although USGS does not require or assign DOIs for cooperator publications, assignment of DOIs is a best practice to ensure long term access to a product. If they have the capability to do so, cooperators should assign a DOI or other persistent link to the information product. [Read more]
Am I required to publish USGS scientific software information products associated with a cooperator publication? [185] Am I required to publish USGS scientific software information products associated with a cooperator publication? [185]
Yes. USGS Fundamental Science Practices (FSP) requirements for releasing scientific software information products associated with scholarly publications also apply to cooperator publications. [Read more]
Is a data release required for USGS-funded data included in a cooperator publication? [186] Is a data release required for USGS-funded data included in a cooperator publication? [186]
Yes. If data collection for a cooperator publication is USGS-funded, a publicly accessible data release is required prior to or simultaneously with release of the associated cooperator publication. An acceptable digital repository for the data release should be identified in the data management plan or agreement. [Read more]
What is the difference between a cooperator publication and a progress report to a cooperator? [187] What is the difference between a cooperator publication and a progress report to a cooperator? [187]
A cooperator publication with scientific contributions from USGS authors, may include new interpretive information and is publicly released. Conversely, a progress report from USGS to a cooperator may contain only previously published interpretive or non-interpretive information, but cannot present new interpretations or conclusions of scientific results. [Read more]
What is the difference between a cooperator publication and a USGS Restricted-File Federal Interagency Report (RFFIR)? [188] What is the difference between a cooperator publication and a USGS Restricted-File Federal Interagency Report (RFFIR)? [188]
A cooperator publication with scientific contributions from USGS authors is released by the cooperator on a publicly accessible website and is citable. Conversely, RFFIRs are limited-use USGS publication series information products prepared by the USGS and provided as confidential communications only to other government or international entities, and are not citable. [Read more]
What can USGS authors do to facilitate QSQI BAO review and approval of cooperator publications that contain new interpretive information? [189] What can USGS authors do to facilitate QSQI BAO review and approval of cooperator publications that contain new interpretive information? [189]
Ensure the manuscript meets USGS standards for scientific quality, review, and approval in the USGS Information Product Data System (IPDS): at least 2 USGS-initiated rigorous peer reviews are obtained and reconciled; Bureau approval and final editing occur before the manuscript is in page proofs; the publishing and distribution location for the final publication are identified. [Read more]
What is a USGS Bureau-approved preprint? [192] What is a USGS Bureau-approved preprint? [192]
A USGS-authored, peer reviewed, Bureau approved manuscript posted on a preprint server. [Read more]
What is a preprint server? [193] What is a preprint server? [193]
An online repository where manuscripts are published, often preceding publication in another outlet. [Read more]
Are USGS scientists allowed to submit a Bureau-approved manuscript to a preprint server? [194] Are USGS scientists allowed to submit a Bureau-approved manuscript to a preprint server? [194]
Yes, USGS scientists are allowed to post Bureau-approved manuscripts to preprint servers, but use of preprint servers is subject to approval by supervisor and science center director. [Read more]
Beyond supervisor and science center director concurrence, what additional requirements must be considered before USGS authors can submit a manuscript to a preprint server? [195] Beyond supervisor and science center director concurrence, what additional requirements must be considered before USGS authors can submit a manuscript to a preprint server? [195]
For manuscripts posted on preprint servers, preprint product type must be used in IPDS, USGS data must be publicly released, the preprint disclaimer must be added to the manuscript, and two USGS-initiated peer reviews and BAO approval must be obtained prior to submission to the preprint server. [Read more]
What considerations should authors keep in mind about preprints? [196] What considerations should authors keep in mind about preprints? [196]
USGS authored manuscripts posted on preprint servers must adhere to USGS policies, including compliance with Fundamental Science Practices, and must meet USGS standards for quality. [Read more]
What formatting restrictions should authors be aware of for preprints? [197] What formatting restrictions should authors be aware of for preprints? [197]
Manuscripts posted on preprint servers must not include the USGS Visual Identity System identifier, cannot appear to be a USGS series information product and must include the preprint disclaimer. [Read more]
Can USGS Bureau-approved preprints be the final publication for releasing new, interpretive USGS information? [198] Can USGS Bureau-approved preprints be the final publication for releasing new, interpretive USGS information? [198]
No, preprints are preliminary, intended to precede final publication, and are generally cited as unpublished work. [Read more]
Can USGS Bureau-approved preprints be subsequently published as USGS series, cooperator publications or journal articles? [199] Can USGS Bureau-approved preprints be subsequently published as USGS series, cooperator publications or journal articles? [199]
Yes, Bureau-approved preprints may subsequently be published as superseding USGS series, cooperator publications, or journal articles. [Read more]
Is the process of product dissemination and cataloging in the Publications Warehouse for Bureau-approved preprints the same as it is for other USGS-authored IPDS product types (such as journal articles and cooperator publications)? [200] Is the process of product dissemination and cataloging in the Publications Warehouse for Bureau-approved preprints the same as it is for other USGS-authored IPDS product types (such as journal articles and cooperator publications)? [200]
Yes, USGS preprint manuscripts are documented in individual IPDS records, considered stand alone products, and cataloged in Publications Warehouse. [Read more]
What are some examples of preprint servers where USGS authors have posted their approved information products? [201] What are some examples of preprint servers where USGS authors have posted their approved information products? [201]
USGS authors use a variety of preprint servers often depending on science discipline. [Read more]
What happens if there are both USGS and non-USGS authors affiliated with an information product, and the non-USGS co-author submits the information product to a preprint server before Bureau approval has been received? [202] What happens if there are both USGS and non-USGS authors affiliated with an information product, and the non-USGS co-author submits the information product to a preprint server before Bureau approval has been received? [202]
Publicly posting a manuscript without Bureau approval is a violation of Fundamental Science Practices. Such manuscript posted on a preprint server needs to be removed or replaced with a Bureau-approved version. [Read more]
Can a USGS co-author of a manuscript temporarily remove their name and USGS affiliation from a preprint with the intention of being added as an author when submitted for publication in another outlet? [203] Can a USGS co-author of a manuscript temporarily remove their name and USGS affiliation from a preprint with the intention of being added as an author when submitted for publication in another outlet? [203]
No, USGS author may not temporarily remove their name from a manuscript to post it on a preprint server or to bypass any other FSP requirement. [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]