Uses and Limitations of Observations, Data, Forecasts, and Other Projections in Decision Support for Selected Sectors and Regions:
Peer Review Plan (May 2007)

Global change information—including observations, data, and a variety of forecasts and projections collected or developed on multiple spatial and temporal scales—has the potential to address international, national, regional, and local decision-support objectives. However, for the information to be useful, its applicability and reliability for different applications must be evaluated. CCSP Synthesis and Assessment Product (SAP) 5.1 will focus on characterizing a subset of the observations from remote sensing and in situ instrumentation that are of high value for decision-making.

The first draft of this product will be expertly peer reviewed, and follow the process described in the Guidelines for Producing CCSP Synthesis and Assessment Products. The expert peer review process will consist of independent reviews from experts selected by the lead agency (NASA), and from a pool of candidates solicited during the expert workshop (if any).  Other nominations for expert peer reviewers may have been provided by July 2006 to representatives of the organization with which the contract for implementation of CCSP SAP 5.1 was placed (Science Applications International Corporation).  The expert peer review process will be 45 days long. It will be conducted in accordance with NASA’s requirements for peer review and general guidelines from the Office of Management and Budget Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review (“OMB Peer Review Bulletin”) issued 16 December 2004.  NASA expects 18-20 peer reviewers in total for CCSP SAP 5.1.

According to CCSP guidance, expert (Peer) reviewers are scientists or individuals with other special expertise appropriate to a product. The expert reviewers will be selected by the lead agency(ies) / departments. As is the case for lead and contributing authors, reviewers may be citizens of any country and be drawn from within or outside the Federal government (e.g., universities or other public or private sector organizations). These individuals shall be known through their publications and other forms of recognition of their expertise. Expert reviewers will focus on the scientific/technical content of the draft. Employees of the lead agency(ies), lead authors, and other contributors to the product may not serve as expert reviewers for that product.  Peer reviewers will have particular expertise in the areas of climate change science in decision support for applications of public health, energy, water management, air quality, and agriculture.

NASA plans on conducting the peer review of CCSP SAP 5.1 through the services of NASA Research and Education Support Services (NRESS) in the June 1 to July 15 timeframe.

Following disposition and documentation of peer review comments by the lead authors, a second draft of CCSP SAP 5.1 will be produced.  This draft will be made available for public comment over a period of 45 days.  The draft will be available to the public via the CCSP website.  Following disposition and documentation of public comments by the lead authors, a third draft of CCSP SAP 5.1 will be produced and submitted to the CCSP Interagency Committee for approval.  For more information, see the public prospectus of CCSP SAP 5.1, located on the CCSP website. 

Lead Agency Contact:

John Haynes, NASA Headquarters
202-358-4665
jhaynes@nasa.gov