The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued guidelines
for the peer review of important scientific information before it is
disseminated by the Federal Government. OMB published its "Final Information
Quality Bulletin for Peer Review" in the Federal Register on January
14, 2005, at 70 FR 2664-2677. The
Bulletin provides specific requirements for peer reviews of highly influential
scientific assessments and influential scientific information that are
disseminated by Federal agencies, including posting the agenda and plans
for such peer reviews on agency websites.
ERS Agenda for Peer Reviews of Highly Influential Scientific Assessments
At this time, ERS has no agenda of forthcoming highly influential scientific
assessments to post on its website in accordance with OMB's
Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review.
ERS Agenda for Peer Reviews of Influential Scientific Information
ERS's economists and social scientists conduct research to inform public
and private decisionmaking on economic and policy issues involving food,
farming, natural resources, and rural development. The agency’s
research program is aimed at the information needs of USDA, other public
policy officials, and the research community. ERS information and analysis
is also used by the media, trade associations, public interest groups,
and the general public. ERS disseminates economic information and
research results through an array of outlets.
ERS has two types of report series that could contain potentially influential
scientific information: ERS research reports; and Outlook Special
Reports. The
peer review process varies for each series. All reports in each series
are included in ERS’s peer review agenda for potentially influential
scientific information.
- ERS research reports—Division management submits ERS
research reports, including Economic Briefs, Economic
Information Bulletins,
and Economic Research Reports, to the ERS Peer Review Council to develop
the peer review plan and coordinate the peer review process. Each report
submitted to the Peer Review Council is reviewed by a minimum of two academic
economists/subject specialists, two economists from ERS, and subject specialists
from USDA agencies potentially affected by the research. All reviews
are double blind (the reviewers do not know the identity of the report author(s)
and the author(s) do not know the names of the reviewers).
- Outlook Special Reports—Outlook Special Reports deliver
time-sensitive information related to the forces shaping commodity markets
and trade. These reports provide analysis of commodity market conditions,
production, supply, and use, both domestically and internationally. Outlook
Special Reports are reviewed by ERS staff, external commodity and market
specialists, and subject experts on the World Agricultural Outlook Board.
In accordance with OMB's Final Information
Quality Bulletin for Peer Review ,
ERS’s Peer Review Agenda for potentially influential scientific information
is reported below. The agenda is updated quarterly.
ERS Peer Review Agenda for Potentially Influential
Scientific Information
(Under review as of December 2007) |
Working Title |
Description |
Peer Review Plan |
Going On-Line: Farm Business Internet Use |
Economic Information Bulletin |
|
Conservation in U.S. Wheat Production: Evidence From an Integrated
National Survey (2004 CEAP-ARMS) |
Economic Information
Bulletin |
|
U.S. Demand for Vegetables |
Economic Research Report |
|
The U.S. Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Landscape, 1994-2002 |
Economic Information Bulletin |
|
The Baby Boom and Rural Population Change: Past, Present, and Future |
Economic Research Report |
|
The Effects of Avian Influenza Outbreaks on Consumer Purchasing
Behavior |
Economic Research Report |
|
2004 Nationwide Survey of Organic Manufactures, Processors, and
Distributors: Summary of Findings |
Economic Information Bulletin |
|
Basic Needs, Tough Choices: The Impact of Housing Costs on Food
Security |
Economic Research Report |
|
Meat Price Spread Calculations Using Two Retail Data Sources |
Economic Research Report |
|
How Accurate is Self Reported Consumer Purchase Behavior? Cross-Validation of Homescan Data |
Economic Research Report |
|
The Transmission of Exchange Rate Changes to Agricultural Producer Prices |
Economic Research Report |
|
Inter-temporal Choices: Estimating How Visceral Influences and Dietary Awareness Affect Food Choices |
Economic Research Report |
|
Economic Incentives in Dietary Improvement: Price Subsidy Option |
Economic Research Report |
|
The Environment for Agricultural and Agribusiness Investment
in India |
Economic Information Bulletin |
|
The Economic Organization of U.S. Broiler Production |
Economic Information Bulletin |
|
Soil Conservation Benefit Variables: Regional Values for Policy Assessment |
Technical Bulletin |
|
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers |
Economic Information Bulletin |
|
U.S. Agricultural Trade Boosts Overall Economy |
Outlook Special Report |
|
Quarterly Trade Forecast Methodology Review |
Outlook Special Report |
|
The Japanese Market for Oranges |
Outlook Special Report |
|
See completed peer review agendas
Contact
For information on ERS's agenda and plans for peer reviews of highly
influential scientific assessments and influential scientific information,
contact:
Elise Golan
Economic Research Service
1800 M Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
email: egolan@ers.usda.gov
phone: (202) 694-5424
USDA Resources
The USDA website provides more information on:
|