OSQR and YouJL Willett and Lori Wilson-Voss

July 29, 2014

What is OSQR?• Office of Scientific Quality and Review

www.ars.usda.gov/Research and use OSQR link

• Mandatory review of ARS research Mandated by 1998 Farm Bill At least every 5 years

• Each NP is reviewed every 5 years via new project plans

A really useful tool…

What is the PSA/Secy role in OSQR process?• “While this outlines a general format for plans (Figure 2), the most important aspects of a highly rated plan are clarity, logical presentation, and ease of understanding.”

• “Researchers are, above all, to provide plans that are well-prepared, appropriately documented, logically presented, and carefully and thoroughly edited.”

What is the PSA/Secy role in OSQR process?• SY/RL/ONP – scientific content

• PSA/Secy – process Format-all sections included Deadlines met Consistency

What is the PSA/Secy role in OSQR process?• “ensuring accuracy with regard to format, spelling, grammar, punctuation…edits or retypes documents for improvement”

• “advises on procedural and documentation requirements for…projects, research plans…

• “actively participates with the project leader in preparing the requirement [sic] documentation…”

First Thing-• Establish a date you need the plan(s) from your scientist(s)

Discuss with your RL how much time is needed for review

You RL

OSQR and YouCHECKLIST FOR OSQR PROJECT PLANS

Verified: ____ Word document not PDF (8.5 x 11” letter, 1” margins, not smaller than Arial 11pt Font) ____ Start on new page - Cover, Pre-Plan signature page, ONP signature page, table of contents, project summary, objectives, milestones

table, accomplishment from prior project period, literature cited, past accomplishments each investigator, issues of concern, & appendices all started on a new page

____ Cover Page (NP, dates, old project #, research unit, location, title from PDRAM, investigators, staff yrs, duration) ____ ONP signature page is included after Area Director signature page ____ Objectives agree with PDRAM (if changed, provide documentation from NPL) ____ Objectives and subobjectives stated consistently on page 6, in Approach section and Milestones table ____ Header and footer are in OSQR required format (beginning on page 2)

Header: Lead SY last name flush left; page #s flush right Footer: Version date flush left, file name flush right; ensure correct file name is used (do not use auto date format, must be

date plan is signed by RL) ____ Headings and subheadings are consistently formatted throughout plan (For example: Bold Headings, Italicized subheadings. Do not

bold objective text) ____ Milestones Table (Arial Narrow 9pt) ____ Appendices are listed by page number. Letters of collaboration are included as PDFs. ____ Plan is spellchecked ____ Pre-Plan signature page signed by RL & CD/LD, if applicable (Typed or electronic, signature line cannot be blank) I have reviewed the plan for the items listed and these are correct. (Scan & send as PDF to Lori Wilson-Voss along with the project plan, 3 Ad Hoc reviews and summary as to how review comments were addressed). ________________________________ __________________________________ Lead SY Date PSA/Secy Date

Objectives agree with PDRAM

Objectives and subobjectives stated consistently

Page 6ApproachMilestones Table

Headings and subheadings are consistently formatted throughout plan

Spellcheck!