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 comprehensive FAQs not only provide further explanation of the FSP and related publishing policies but also describe the specific procedures and decision making necessary to meet the
FSP Background
Authorship
Review
Approval
USGS Publication Series
Journal Publications
Metadata
Data
Software
Project Reporting and Cooperator Publications
Web Pages, Conferences, Abstracts, and Presentations
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
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 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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
What is a preprint server? [193]
An online repository where manuscripts are published, often preceding publication in another outlet. [Read more]
What is a USGS Bureau-approved preprint? [192]
A USGS-authored, peer reviewed, Bureau approved manuscript posted on a preprint server. [Read more]