Welcome to the Northern Plains Area OSQR and Expert Review page. Our goal is to provide NPA scientists with guidelines and other useful information to navigate the sometimes complex web of writing new CRIS project plans and navigating the approval process dictated by the Office of Scientific Quality Review (OSQR). This page also includes information and links regarding the complexities associated with the Expert Review process for Research Unit Administrators and scientific personnel. We’re here to help and encourage you to contact us if you have questions or need additional information. On this Page: What is OSQR? OSQR Staff OSQR Links OSQR Documents Expert Reviews of Unit Research Program Information Expert Review Staff Expert Review Documents Customer Service Plan

The Office of Scientific Quality Review (OSQR) addresses the external peer-review process mandated by Congress and used within ARS to plan and approve research. For more information contact NPA Program Analyst, Reagan Heese.

Note: The Area Program Analyst (PA) assists scientists and administrative staff to prepare documents used in the OSQR process and transactions entered into ARIS.The PA also assists scientists, administrative staff and external panel members to prepare for and conduct expert reviews (see below).

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OSQR Staff:

• Dr. Michael McGuire - Assistant Area Director
  970-492-7058
  Michael.McGuire@ars.usda.gov
  
• Reagan Heese - Program Analyst
  970-492-7006
  Reagan.Heese@ars.usda.gov
  
• Dr. Mark West - Statistician
  970-492-7027
  Mark.West@ars.usda.gov

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OSQR Links

• Office of Scientific Quality Review (OSQR) *

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NPA OSQR Documents

• NPA OSQR Guidance Document (Adobe Acrobat) 
• NPA OSQR Presentation – modified (MS PowerPoint)

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Within the Northern Plains Area, expert reviews are used to assess our units’ research programs and recommend ways to strengthen performance, quality, capacity and leadership. Expert reviews typically last 2 ½ days and are conducted onsite at the location by scientific peers. The Expert Review Protocol Document contains further information.

Expert Review Staff:

• Larry Chandler - Associate Area Director
  970-492-7058
  Larry.Chandler@ars.usda.gov
• Reagan Heese - Program Analyst
  970-492-7006
  Reagan.Heese@ars.usda.gov

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Expert Review Documents:

• NPA Expert Review Protocol Document (Adobe Acrobat)

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The Area Program Analyst (PA) assists scientists, administrative staff and external panel members to prepare for and conduct expert reviews. The PA also assists scientists and administrative staff to prepare documents used in the OSQR process and transactions entered into ARIS.

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