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.
Is a data release required for USGS-funded data included in a cooperator publication? [186]
Yes. If data collection for a cooperator publication is USGS-funded, a publicly accessible data release is required prior to or simultaneously with release of the associated cooperator publication. An acceptable digital repository for the data release should be identified in the data management plan or agreement. [Read more]
What is the difference between a cooperator publication and a progress report to a cooperator? [187]
A cooperator publication with scientific contributions from USGS authors, may include new interpretive information and is publicly released. Conversely, a progress report from USGS to a cooperator may contain only previously published interpretive or non-interpretive information, but cannot present new interpretations or conclusions of scientific results. [Read more]
What is the difference between a cooperator publication and a USGS Restricted-File Federal Interagency Report (RFFIR)? [188]
A cooperator publication with scientific contributions from USGS authors is released by the cooperator on a publicly accessible website and is citable. Conversely, RFFIRs are limited-use USGS publication series information products prepared by the USGS and provided as confidential communications only to other government or international entities, and are not citable. [Read more]
What can USGS authors do to facilitate QSQI BAO review and approval of cooperator publications that contain new interpretive information? [189]
Ensure the manuscript meets USGS standards for scientific quality, review, and approval in the USGS Information Product Data System (IPDS): at least 2 USGS-initiated rigorous peer reviews are obtained and reconciled; Bureau approval and final editing occur before the manuscript is in page proofs; the publishing and distribution location for the final publication are identified. [Read more]