Scientific Integrity
Frequently Asked Questions
Subject-based answers to your questions about scientific integrity practices and policies.
01
Fundamental Research Communications
What is a fundamental research communication and why should I care?
Fundamental Research Communications (FRCs) are defined both in the Scientific Integrity policy and in the Department of Commerce Administrative Order on Public Communications (DAO 219-1). These are essentially communications of scientific data and findings to the public, most often through a major publication or website. It is important for NOAA scientists to understand what constitutes FRCs as opposed to other types of public communications, especially “official” communications, as the latter require full NOAA vetting & clearance. Research results communicated as FRC require internal review prior to release. Internal review should be conducted through your Line Office’s specific procedures for review of FRC’s. These guidelines were created by your Line Office and meet special requirements for FRC’s as determined by NOAA’s Framework for Internal Review and Approval of Fundamental Research Communications Part 1: Guidance for Line and Staff Offices on the internal review of manuscripts to be submitted to the peer-reviewed scientific literature. So, does that mean you cannot express your opinion without getting some sort of approval? No, certainly not. We all have the right to express our opinions publicly on our own time as private citizens of the United States.
Who decides if a communication is "fundamental research" or "official"?
The determination whether a communication is an FRC or an official communication is normally made by the head of your operating unit. It is very important to note the head of unit may not abuse this right to unfairly delay the release of science because they do not agree with the findings or because they believe that the findings may cause political fallout. The NOAA Framework for Internal Review and Approval of Fundamental Research Communications Part 1: Guidance for Line and Staff Offices on the internal review of manuscripts to be submitted to the peer-reviewed scientific literature and the Scientific Integrity policy provide the scientist with the ultimate publishing control. This is a protection for all our scientists. It shouldn’t, however, be used as an excuse to ignore all internal feedback and review. In most cases, constructive feedback and review prior to publication lead to a better final product. This policy provides protection in the unlikely case where someone is alleged to be abusing their authority.
Do I need approval to publish my fundamental research?
The Department of Commerce Public Communications policy and NOAA Framework for Internal Review and Approval of Fundamental Research Communications Part 1: Guidance for Line and Staff Offices on the internal review of manuscripts to be submitted to the peer-reviewed scientific literature require you to work with your Line Office-specific procedures for the publication of FRC’s. Final certification is just a statement on behalf of your office confirming the document has been reviewed for policy or budget statements. It is not an approval, per se, and cannot be used to hold up external peer review and publication. So, while there is an internal pre-publication review process to follow, there is no approval required to publish.
What if I am being pushed to publish before I think the work is ready?
This is a violation of the Scientific Integrity policy and should be approached carefully. We recommend an informal discussion with the person pushing the publication to express your concerns. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, you can raise the concerns to the next level in your Line Office for mediation. If you make all reasonable attempts to resolve the situation or are feeling threatened with adverse personnel or other actions, you may file an official complaint with the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary for Operations regarding scientific misconduct or with the Office of Inclusion and Civil Rights, which handles allegations of a hostile work environment. In most cases, these situations should be easily resolved at lower levels without filing a complaint. We urge employees to seek mediation before approaching the DUS/O.
How should I frame the conclusions of my FRC?
This is an area that is ripe for confusion and conflict for federal scientists and their managers, because the framing of findings may often imply or dictate a policy or budget direction. There is no one answer that will apply perfectly to all papers and all situations. However, the best practice is to frame your conclusions as generally and as objectively as possible. For example, an FRC may not state that NOAA/the Administration/Congress should take a certain action. If your communication makes such a conclusion, the manuscript is not an FRC. Instead, frame your conclusions to state that a certain approach would likely result in a certain outcome. Presenting different approaches and their likely outcomes also serves to generalize the conclusions and avoid the policy language of an official communication.
Full Fundamental Research Guidelines
Download the PDF to read more about fundamental research communications
02
Public Communications & Media
May I take phone calls from the media and give interviews?
Yes. There are no exceptions here. However, you are not required to give media interviews. You may always refer media to your public affairs officer. Similarly, you should always feel free to consult with your public affairs officer prior to an interview and/or include them in the interview.
What should I do if I am asked to give an interview?
You are not required to do anything. However, good practice suggests you should notify your public affairs officer and/or the head of your operating unit prior to or just after you give an interview. It is common courtesy to do so. You wouldn’t want somebody surprising you with detailed questions about your work, and your managers are no different. Nobody enjoys being made to look foolish or uninformed in public. If you don’t tell your managers about the interview and your responses, it is possible they could be called out and made to look bad. Situational awareness is not a requirement, but it is usually a wise thing. Use your best judgment.
Am I allowed to express my personal opinion as a scientist in an interview of in other fora (e.g. op-ed articles)?
Yes, indeed. All you need to do is make sure you are clear you are expressing your personal opinion, not the opinion of NOAA/DoC/the Administration. The disclaimer is your friend and it is there to protect you. Use it.
“The idea is to try to give all the information to help others to judge the value of your contribution; not just the information that leads to judgment in one particular direction or another”