FSP FAQs: Project Reporting and Cooperator Publications
General overview of Fundamental Science Practices for review and approval of manuscripts, abstracts, presentations, posters, web pages, audiovisual materials, geonarratives/storymaps, book reviews, preprints, Restricted-File Federal Interagency Reports, and other written materials, use of the Information Product Data System, and description of the dark archive.
What are the categories of “Open Access” journals and what are the FSP peer review requirements for these products? [042]
Journal peer review processes—Category 1: anonymous peer reviews and draft manuscripts are not available to the public; USGS approval process for peer-reviewed journal articles is used. Category 2: peer reviews of draft manuscripts open to the public; two USGS-initiated peer reviews and Bureau approval are required before sending the manuscript to journal. [Read more]
What are cooperator publications and how are they addressed in FSP? [047]
Cooperator publications are released in full by the cooperating entity in a publicly accessible location and are clearly a cooperator's product and not a USGS product. Cooperator publications must receive at least two peer reviews, reconciliation, supervisory and science center approvals, and Bureau approval before release. [Read more]
What are the general FSP requirements for peer-reviewed journal submission? [048]
Peer-reviewed journal submissions require a minimum of two peer reviews. Bureau approval occurs after peer review reconciliation and before the reconciled manuscript is returned to the journal for possible acceptance. [Read more]
What is the review and approval process for news releases, letters to the editor, and opinion pieces? [058]
News releases, opinion pieces (commonly called op-eds), and letters to the editor are under the purview of the USGS Office of Communications and Publishing (OCAP) and are governed by review, approval and release processes as detailed in SM 500.5. Refer to delegated Bureau approval authority for additional information about approval of scientific news media products. [Read more]
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]
Yes, authors may use preprint servers in accordance with the guidance provided for preprints.
What are cooperator publications? [178]
Cooperator publications are scientific information products funded and released by an external cooperator to which USGS authors contribute. Cooperator publications are prepared under formal collaborative agreements between the USGS and Federal, Tribal, State, local, academia or other parties. [Read more]
What requirements must be met for USGS authored or coauthored cooperator publications to comply with FSP? [179]
To comply with FSP, the requirements for release of the publication, and any associated data release, must be specified in a signed agreement between USGS and the cooperator, the publication must be reviewed and approved through the USGS Information Product Data System (IPDS), and be made available on a publicly accessible website by the cooperator. [Read more]
Where are cooperator publications released? [180]
Cooperator publications are released on cooperator websites. Because the results of Federal Government scientific research must be made publicly available, these publications must be hosted on a publishing platform with continued persistent public accessibility. [Read more]
How do USGS editing and formatting requirements apply to cooperator publications? [181]
Editing and formatting requirements are applied to cooperator publications according to the cooperator’s publishing standards. Although cooperator publications are not required to follow the editorial requirements for USGS series publications, Bureau writing quality and standards must be met. [Read more]
How should a cooperator publication be cited? [182]
Citations for cooperator publications may list USGS authors by individual names or by using the Bureau name (U.S. Geological Survey). In all cases, the citation must include the cooperator’s name as the publisher. For examples [Read more]
How are the USGS identifier and cooperator logos displayed on cooperator publications? [183]
The cooperator determines use and placement of the trademarked USGS identifier or a text identification line (such as "Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey") based on their own visual identity/logo requirements. To acknowledge the Bureau’s contribution, USGS authors should request that USGS be prominently displayed. [Read more]