Fundamental Science Practices Frequently Asked Questions

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.

FSP review and approval of project progress depends on the content (new and interpretive findings versus noninterpretive or previously published information) and intended distribution of the report. [Read more]

If the project progress reports contain new interpretations, then the reports of project progress also require peer reviews, Bureau approval, and publication before being delivered to the greater community of stakeholders, steering councils, or cooperating groups who are not directly contributing to project activities. [Read more]

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 Not for Citation or Distribution."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]

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]

No. There is not a product type in the IPDS for reports of project progress.

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]

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]

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]

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. 

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]

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]