Scientific and Technical Publications Authorship and Review

Title:	Scientific and Technical Publications Authorship and Review
Publication date:	7/11/2023
Effective date:	3/1/2011

BRIEF

Policy Summary

This policy describes the review of scientific and technical publications at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).

Who Should Read This Policy

This policy applies to employees and affiliates involved in the creation of scientific and technical information (STI).

To Read the Full Policy, Go To:

The POLICY tab on this wiki page

Contact Information

Information Technology Policy Manager
Information Technology Division
[email protected]

Title:	Scientific and Technical Publications Authorship and Review
Publication date:	7/11/2023
Effective date:	3/1/2011

POLICY

A. Purpose

This policy describes the review of scientific and technical publications at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).

B. Persons Affected

This policy applies to employees and affiliates involved in the creation of scientific and technical information (STI).

C. Exceptions

The scope of this policy is STI created in the course of research. It does not include all other Laboratory Information.

D. Policy Statement

Berkeley Lab values the role of peer review in ensuring the integrity of scientific research. Researchers are expected to seek ongoing internal review of their work before publication. Employees will adhere to the highest ethical standards in their publishing, including those detailed in the University of California Statement of Ethical Values, especially in regards to the integrity and originality of work, and the recognition of the contributions of colleagues.

Researchers must ensure that any information of a non-publishable nature is excluded from publication. LBL staff and affiliates are required to self-review all STI before it is shared publicly for any information of a non-publishable nature including information which may be protected by contract (SPP, CRADA, Data Use Agreement), statute (export controlled information, human subjects information), or LBL or UC Policy. Employees should consult the Guidance for Reviewing Publications document for additional requirements.

Working with some kinds of information at the Laboratory may require additional formality in pre-publication review. If required, these may be developed as part of the institutional processes for approaching such information (e.g. through the development and approval of a TCP for Export Controlled Information).

Divisions and research groups may adopt additional publication review procedures. Divisions must ensure that any additional review is fair and unbiased, and that freedom of scientific inquiry is not unfairly constrained.

Additional Publication Requirements:

Self-review for intellectual property is required by the Patents - Publication Review Policy. Requirements for acknowledging sponsorship are disclaimers are found in the Scientific and Technical Publications Requirements Policy. Requirements on data management plans and data sharing are detailed in the Research Data Policy.

E. Roles and Responsibilities

All employees listed as authors on the published results of research conducted at or funded by Berkeley Lab have the responsibility to adhere to the provisions of this policy.

Role	Responsibility
Division Director	Determine if additional publication review requirements are needed within the Division and ensure any such requirements are fair and unbiased.
Employee	Adheres to this policy by self-reviewing publications, as well as any specific process required by division management or detailed in an approved Information Protection Plan.

F. Definitions/Acronyms

Term

Definition

Scientific and Technical Information (STI)

Information products deemed by the originator to be useful beyond the originating site (i.e., intended to be published or disseminated), in any format or medium, which contain findings and technological innovations resulting from research and development (R&D) efforts and scientific and technological work of scientists, researchers, and engineers, whether they are federal employees, contractors, or financial-assistance recipients. STI also conveys the results of demonstration and commercial application activities as well as experiments, observations, simulations, studies, and analyses.

G. Recordkeeping Requirements

None

H. Implementing Documents