Enhancing scientific discovery and problem-solving through integrated research.

Reporting Requirements

The Powell Center is committed to developing methods to locate, access, analyze, and make data widely available to the scientific community. To meet this goal, the Powell Center requires that:

• Derived data (resulting from analyses from which the original data cannot be reconstituted) generated by research project activities are documented with metadata and made publicly available on the Powell Center website.
• Copies of publications resulting from Powell Center support be provided to the Powell Center at the time of publication.
• Working group participants sign the Code of Ethics agreement, which includes compliance with the data and information policy, prior to initiating research activities. Extenuating circumstances that may prevent full compliance with the data and information policy should be discussed with Powell Center staff.

Data Management Plan

The Powell Center requires data management planning in the proposal process. This work leverages data management policies developed by the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and aligns with policies of National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and others.  

As a data synthesis and analysis center, data management forms a core responsibility of the Powell Center and its Working Groups. The Summary Data Management Plan will enhance proposal evaluation and allow the Science Advisory Board to anticipate possible support requirements and opportunities for the Working Group.  Some Powell Center proposals will not require data synthesis and analysis, and the following data management planning guidance is only applicable to Working Groups that will be using and synthesizing data.

In submitted proposals, Powell Center Working Groups should provide a Summary Data Management Plan that describes:

1. Known datasets that will be used by Working Group
   
2. Basic idea of the processes, transformations, and syntheses that may be conducted on the data (recognizing that much of this may develop during the project)
3. Anticipated new data derivatives produced and published by Working Group
   

Approved Working Groups are asked to complete an Extended Data Management Plan, building upon the summary information provided in the proposal. Working Groups are encouraged to consider the Extended Data Management Plan before proposal submission to become familiar with data reporting requirements. The Data Management Plan, together with an Information Technology checklist provided to approved Working Groups, helps Powell Center staff determine support required to provide researchers with data management, scientific computing, and other functions. 

Proposed derived data and data products generated by Powell Center Working Groups should be captured in the Data Management Plan. These data products will be documented with metadata and released through an appropriate publishing outlet. Data publishing venues continue to evolve and range from USGS Data Series publications to various scientific data journals and other government agency options. Any of these options may be used, and the Powell Center will provide assistance and technical resources as appropriate for successful projects.

Please contact the Powell Center (powellcenter@usgs.gov) with  questions about preparing Data Management Plans. Data management staff associated with the Powell Center assist with pre-proposal questions and are available to help complete Extended Data Management Plans for successful proposals.

Download Summary Data Management Plan - submit with proposal

Download Extended Data Management Plan - submit after proposal approval