MMS Data Rights and Rules for Data Use

WORKING DRAFT - NOT YET FINALIZED

The terms for distribution and use of the MMS data products are specified in the NASA Heliophysics Science Data Management Policy document, and are summarized here in terms of the MMS mission. These guidelines govern both the production and distribution of scientific data sets by the MMS program, and also use of the MMS data by the science community and general public, and are summarized below:

• MMS-SMART scientifically useful data products are open to all scientists and the public (Users). 
  

• There are no proprietary periods associated with any of the MMS-SMART data products.

• Users shall have timely access to the scientifically useful data and analysis tools that are equivalent to the level that the MMS-SMART science team uses.

• All potential data users are strongly encouraged to contact the MMS-SMART Principal Investigator (PI) or a designated lead investigator of an instrument or modeling group early in an analysis project to discuss the appropriate use of instrument data or model results.

• Users that wish to publish the results derived from MMS data should be aware that it is a common courtesy to offer co-authorship to the MMS-SMART PI and/or instrument Leads and relevant science team members, especially in cases where there was substantial discussion of the relevant data products. Co-authorship may be declined --  OR – All users who wish to publish results derived from MMS data are strongly encouraged to directly involve the MMS-SMART PI and/or Instrument Leads and team members as appropriate in the analysis and to offer co-authorship.  Data users who are members of the MMS-SMART science team are required to offer co-authorship.  Co-authorship may be declined.

• Users should heed the caveats of investigators as to the interpretation and limitations of data or model results. All important caveats should be included in the publication, even if co-authorship is declined.  Data and model version numbers should also be specified.

• Users should acknowledge the sources of data used in all publications, presentations, and reports. Appropriate acknowledgement to institutions, personnel, and funding agencies should be given.

• Users are encouraged to provide the MMS-SMART PI and/or instrument PIs a copy of each manuscript that uses MMS-SMART data upon submission of that manuscript for consideration of publication. On publication the citation should be transmitted to the PI and any other providers of data.

• MMS encourages that pre-prints of publications and conference abstracts be widely distributed to interested parties within the mission and related projects.

• Users are encouraged to make tools of general utility and/or value-added data products widely available to the community. Users are encouraged to notify the MMS-SMART PI of such utilities or products. The User should also clearly label the product as being different from the original MMS-SMART produced data product.

NASA Heliophysics Science Data Management Policy, version 1.1, April 12, 2009, http://hpde.gsfc.nasa.gov/Heliophysics_Data_Policy_2009Apr12.pdf