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What are the requirements for communicating unpublished interpretive content in reports of project progress among collaborators? [157]
Project progress reports with new interpretive information must include disclaimers indicating preliminary/provisional, deliberative, predecisional nature of information; requirement to not disclose or release information; and waiving of USGS and U.S. Government liability. These reports must be labeled “Preliminary Information Subject to Revision. Not for Citation or Distribution." [Read more]
How is project progress reporting different from draft manuscripts or reports intended for publication? [156]
Reports of project progress provide a summary of the status of a project, whereas draft project manuscripts or reports intended for publication present the results. [Read more]
Is there a product type for reports of project progress in IPDS? [155]
No. There is not a product type in the IPDS for reports of project progress.
What formats can be used for reports of project progress? [154]
Reports of project progress that contain non-interpretive or previously published interpretive information can be delivered in slides, summaries, correspondence, emails, or oral communications; conversely, new interpretive content must be tracked in IPDS and may include: (1) abstract, poster, presentation, exhibit, newsletter, (2) USGS publication series product, or (3) outside publication. [Read more]
What types of project progress information can be reported and why is that important? [153]
Project progress reporting can involve noninterpretive scientific information, previously published interpretive scientific information, or new interpretive scientific. The type of content dictates how the FSP apply and whether tracking in the IPDS is required. [Read more]
What are the entities for which I can and cannot prepare RFFIRs? [152]
The Restricted-File Federal Interagency Reports (RFFIR) series is to be used for confidential communication between USGS and a U.S. Government agency, foreign government or agency, or international entity funding partner. RFFIRs cannot be produced for private communications. [Read more]
Can I cite or index RFFIRs on a USGS public-facing web page? [151]
Restricted-File Federal Interagency Reports (RFFIRs) are not to be referenced, posted, or indexed on USGS public-facing web pages or included in a list of publications on individual staff profile pages. Because RFFIRs are not citable, they are not to be indexed in the USGS Publications Warehouse or included in a list of publications on individual staff profile pages.
How can I convert an RFFIR publicly released by the receiving U.S. Government agency, foreign government or agency, or international entity funding partner into a USGS Open-File Report (OFR) to be cited and indexed in the Publications Warehouse? [150]
Restricted-File Federal Interagency Reports (RFFIRs) are not public and cannot be cited, it may be worthwhile to publicly release these reports in other USGS series, such as Open File Report (OFR), once deemed appropriate to do so. A new IPDS record for OFR should be created, following the standard process for review, approval, and coordination with the Science Publishing Network. [Read more]
As an author, what is my responsibility for maintaining official copies of my Bureau-approved RFFIR? [149]
A printed copy of each Restricted-File Federal Interagency Report (RFFIR) must be sent to the USGS Library (Reston) for the Library’s limited-access storage. Another copy of the RFFIR should be maintained with other project material in accordance with the Department’s policy regarding official records. [Read more]
How do RFFIR series products relate to the cooperator publication product type in the IPDS? [148]
Restricted-File Federal Interagency Reports (RIFFIRs) are confidential reports produced by the USGS solely for a U.S. Government agency, foreign government or agency, or international entity funding partner. Alternatively, a cooperator publication is a scientific information product published by a USGS author within a cooperator’s report series. [Read more]
What are the possible format options for RFFIRs? [147]
A letter report is one possible format for a Restricted-File Federal Interagency Report (RFFIR). An optional template for RFFIRs is available. [Read more]
Under what circumstances should products in the Restricted-File Federal Interagency Report (RFFIR) series (formerly Administrative Report series) be prepared? [146]
These limited-use publication series products are prepared when directed by USGS management in concert with or independent of a request from a U.S. Government agency, foreign government or agency, or international entity funding partner. RFFIRs are directed and (or) requested when investigations involve threatened or endangered species or are in support of confidential negotiations or litigation.