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Quality of Science
An important part of delivering information to users is the assurance that the information was generated in ways that guarantee data quality and analytical and reporting integrity. The Division maintains quality in several ways, extending from initial research planning to data gathering to product production.
At the inception of a research project, scientists prepare a Research Plan under established Division policies and procedures. Each Research Plan is subjected to peer review by technical experts and managed by the Division’s Quality of Science Committee. In addition, each plan is reviewed by the Division’s Quality Assurance Manager, who verifies that the plan contains various practices to ensure data quality and integrity. Research may not begin until investigators make appropriate revisions in accordance with the coordinated review. The Division Director and Associate Director for Science give final Research Plan approval. Ongoing research projects receive periodic reviews to ensure data quality and defensibility.
When the research is completed and manuscripts prepared, all products are subjected to peer review (by both a Division and external researcher) before they are submitted to the target outlet (journals, books, symposia, etc.). The Division Director and Associate Director for Science give final product approval prior to submission.