Fundamental Science Practices (FSP) Home

By Office of Science Quality and Integrity

FSP Acceptable Digital Repositories for USGS Scientific Publications

Requires placement in a digital repository to allow free public access and long term preservation

FSP Guidance on Use & Documentation of Horizontal & Vertical Datums

USGS authors guide on using and documenting geodetic datums for horizontal (location) and vertical (elevation) coordinates in USGS publication series.

What are the review and approval requirements for releasing scientific data to the public?

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides unbiased, objective, and impartial scientific information upon which our audiences, including resource managers, planners, and other entities, rely.

Since the inception of the USGS in 1879, the agency has maintained comprehensive internal and external policies and procedures for ensuring the quality and integrity of its science. This has led to the reputation of USGS being noted for science excellence and objectivity. In 2006, the scientific policies and procedures were updated, and are now known as USGS Fundamental Science Practices (FSP)—a set of consistent practices, philosophical premises, and operational principles that serve as the foundation for research and monitoring activities related to USGS science.

The FSP clarifies how USGS science is carried out and how the resulting information products (including maps, imagery, and publications) are developed, reviewed, approved, and released.

The USGS FSP Advisory Council (FSPAC) is in place to address FSP related questions and concerns. In addition to a core group of members, the FSPAC’s work is also accomplished by various subcommittees convened to address specific topics. To contact the FSPAC, send an e-mail to gs_fspac@usgs.gov.

This site provides detailed information and guidance about FSP and related resource information of interest to the public. Other science related resource information the USGS provides that is associated with FSP includes quality management for USGS laboratories, managing scientific collections, publishing USGS information products, indexing information products in the Publications Warehouse, data management, software management, and library services.

For USGS Scientists and Other Employees: Some additional FSP and related guidance and resource information for internal use only is available on the USGS FSP intranet site.