Appendix B

Questionnaires

This appendix provides the instructions and questions distributed with the three questionnaires sent out by the committee.

Questionnaire for U.S. Geological Survey Staff

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is undertaking a review of the USGS Mineral Resources Program science portfolio to address how it might evolve to meet current and future U.S. mineral resources data and science needs. The study committee met with some USGS staff in Denver and Reston but would also like to include input from all individuals with interest in the program.

Please use this form to submit any comments that you think will be helpful to the study committee as it deliberates on its Statement of Task. Responses may be used to inform the committee’s deliberations and may be used in the final report. A summary of the responses may be included in the report. The committee recognizes that responses reflect opinions and perspectives of individual submitters, not USGS as an organization.

Responses will become part of the public access record associated with this study and will be made publicly available if requested (see Request Project Information section of the NASEM Project Comments and Information website). Responses are collected anonymously—please do not include any personally identifiable information.

1. In your opinion, to what extent are MRP science and products meeting USGS’s stakeholder needs?
2. What do you see as the main future challenges of U.S. mineral resource needs?
   What could MRP do to help meet those needs?
3. What could USGS do to improve your ability to perform high quality and impactful science?

4. Is there anything else you would like to share with the committee pertaining to its Statement of Task?
5. How long have you been at USGS?
   Less than 5 years / 5 to 10 years / More than 10 years / Prefer not to say
6. What percentage of your work supports MRP projects?
   0-25% / 25-75% / 75-100% / Prefer not to say

Questionnaire for State Geological Survey Employees

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is undertaking a review of the USGS Mineral Resources Program (MRP) science portfolio to address how it might evolve to meet current and future U.S. mineral resources data and science needs. The study committee is interested to learn how individuals from state geological surveys interact with USGS MRP.

Please use this form to submit any comments you think will be helpful to the study committee as it deliberates on its Statement of Task. Responses may be used to inform the committee’s deliberations and may be used in the final report. A summary of the responses may be included in the report. The committee recognizes that responses reflect opinions and perspectives of individual submitters, not their state survey.

Responses will become part of the public access record associated with this study and will be made publicly available if requested (see Request Project Information section of the NASEM Project Comments and Information website). Responses are collected anonymously—please do not include any personally identifiable information.

This questionnaire is intended only for employees of state geological surveys. If you are not a state survey employee, we invite you to see other ways you can contribute to this project on the project website.

1. Does your state survey collaborate with USGS Mineral Resources Program (MRP) through the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) program?
   Yes / No / I’m not sure
2. Does your state survey collaborate with the USGS MRP in ways other than Earth MRI?
   Yes - explain / No / I’m not sure
3. In your opinion, to what extent are MRP science, data, and products meeting stakeholders’ needs, including those of the states?
4. Are the USGS’s criteria and processes for identifying, reviewing, and selecting potential Earth MRI projects clear and appropriate? Are there improvements that could be made?
5. Are the results of Earth MRI projects shared with your survey in a timely and satisfactory manner?
6. What do you see as the main future challenges of mineral resource needs for your state and the country? What could MRP do to help meet those needs?
7. Is there anything else you would like to share with the committee pertaining to its Statement of Task?

8. Which state survey do you work for?
   Select a state / Prefer not to say

Questionnaire on Interacting with U.S. Geological Survey data

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is undertaking a review of the USGS Mineral Resources Program (MRP) science portfolio to address how it might evolve to meet current and future U.S. mineral resources data and science needs. The study committee is interested to learn if and how individuals and industries interact with and use USGS data, especially that of MRP. Even if you have never used USGS data, your answers are very helpful to the committee.

Please use this form to describe your interaction with USGS data. Responses may be used to inform the committee’s deliberations and may be used in the final report. A summary of the responses may be included in the report. The committee recognizes that responses reflect opinions and perspectives of individual submitters.

Responses are collected anonymously—please do not include any personally identifiable information. Additionally, responses will become part of the public access record associated with this study and will be made publicly available if requested (see Request Project Information section of the NASEM Project Comments and Information website).

1. Do you use any USGS data in your professional activities?
   Yes, I use data from the Mineral Resources Program (MRP) / Yes, I use non-MRP data / Yes but I’m not sure if it’s MRP data / No / I’m not sure
2. Do you use data from the USGS National Minerals Information Center (NMIC, e.g., production, consumption, international trade data) in your professional activities?
   Yes / No / I’m not sure
3. Do you use data from the USGS program Earth MRI in your professional activities?
   Yes / No / I’m not sure
4. What sector do you primarily work in?
   Industry – mineral exploration / Industry – mining or processing / Industry – other / Academia / Government / Other
5. How long have you worked in the geoscience, earth resources, or a similar field?
   I do not work in this field / Less than 5 years / 5 to 10 years / 10 to 20 years / More than 20 years
6. Do you collaborate with USGS?
   Yes / No / I’m not sure

The following question (#7) was only asked if “No” was selected on Question 1:

7. Why do you not use USGS data? Select all that apply.
   It is not relevant to my work / I am unaware of the data produced by USGS / It is difficult to find or access / It does not cover my geographic region of study / Other (please specify)

The following questions (#8–10) were asked if any option other than “No” was selected on Question 1:

8. What type(s) of USGS data do you use? Select all that apply.
   Geochemical data / Geophysical data – airborne magnetic surveys / Geophysical data – radiometric surveys / Geophysical data – other / Geologic maps / Mineral commodity summaries / Mineral yearbooks / Other (please specify)
9. How do you find or access the data? Select all that apply and specify if applicable.
   USGS data releases / USGS reports or other USGS publications / Interactive maps or tools (please specify) / USGS database (please specify) / Non-USGS database (please specify) / Other method (please specify)
10. How useful is USGS to your work?
    Essential / Somewhat useful / Not particularly useful

The following questions (#11–12) were asked of all respondents:

11. How could USGS data usefulness be improved?
12. Do you have any other comments about USGS data, especially that produced by the Mineral Resources Program?