The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has a responsibility to make the results of its scientific research widely and promptly available to the public in the form of scientifically sound and professionally presented information products.  This Survey Manual  chapter describes the USGS publication series used to release the results of the Bureau’s scientific research projects.  The purpose is to define general requirements governing the use of the publication series.

The primary USGS publication series include:

• Fact Sheet (for general audiences)
• General Information Product  (for general audiences)
• Circular (for general audiences)
• Professional Paper
• Scientific Investigations Report
• Scientific Investigations Map
• Data Series
• Techniques and Methods
• Open-File Report