FSP FAQs: Web Pages, Conferences, Abstracts, and Presentations

Reports of project progress may be presented at a scientific conference, but sensitive, confidential, or proprietary information cannot be discussed. Peer review is at the discretion of the Science Center Director. FSP requirements for presentation materials that are left or not left at scientific meetings and conferences apply.

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. 

The USGS OCAP provides policy direction for audiovisual products, including video productions, motion picture films, public service announcements, video news features, and electronic/satellite transmissions that are produced by or attributed to the USGS. OCAP reviews, approves, and certifies these products for approval by DOI Office of Communications. [Read more]

No, working notes, field notes, and other related material that have not met FSP requirements of peer review and Bureau approval cannot be publicly posted. These materials are considered predecisional and are protected from public disclosure, unless materials have been specifically included for publication as part of the approved manuscript or are subject to a FOIA request.

If previously approved abstract, poster session, or presentation is reused in a different meeting venue, additional Bureau approval is not required as long as the content has not substantially changed. Authors should always ensure that supervisors and management are informed whenever USGS scientific information is presented, even if the material has been presented in a prior venue. [Read more]

Presentation materials and poster sessions presented once and not left for conference dissemination or posted on a public website do not require peer review; however, the Science Center Director has discretion to require peer review. Poster session/presentation materials requiring Bureau approval must be tracked and approval documented in the IPDS. [Read more]

Abstracts may be for scientific conference or meeting sessions or they can be extended abstracts. Science Center Director determines need for peer review of short abstracts and grants Bureau approval. Extended abstracts have the same approval requirements as journal articles and require approval by an OSQI Bureau Approving Official. Abstracts must be tracked in the IPDS. [Read more]