Make a Note to the Record

The document advises federal scientists to maintain detailed, contemporaneous records of political interference or process changes that diminish the role of science in decision-making. It outlines best practices for secure note-taking, distinguishes between personal notes and official agency records, and explains the legal criteria for protected whistleblowing under the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act.

• Federal employees and grantees are encouraged to maintain real-time documentation of issues that threaten an agency's ability to conduct and communicate science for the public interest, including political interference with data, inappropriate staffing or resource changes, and restrictions on communication.
• To ensure accuracy and security, the guide recommends recording dates, times, and the names and titles of involved individuals, and suggests saving notes on personal devices or email addresses to distinguish them from 'agency records,' which are legally the property of the agency and subject to disclosure via FOIA requests or subpoenas.
• Under the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, federal employees are protected from reprisal when disclosing information they reasonably believe evidences law violations, gross mismanagement, waste of funds, abuse of authority, dangers to public health or safety, or censorship of technical information.
• The document notes that not all reports of scientific integrity policy violations qualify as protected whistleblowing, and it advises those considering such disclosures to consult with specialized lawyers to minimize risk.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2018). Make a Note to the Record. https://www.ucs.org/resources/make-note-record

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Make a Note to the Record. 2018. https://www.ucs.org/resources/make-note-record.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Make a Note to the Record |date=9 February 2018 |url=https://www.ucs.org/resources/make-note-record |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2018make, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Make a Note to the Record}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2018}, month = feb, url = {https://www.ucs.org/resources/make-note-record}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }