2018 Federal Scientists Survey FAQ

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), in partnership with Iowa State University's Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology, conducted a 2018 survey of federal scientists to evaluate the state of scientific integrity and the work environment in science-based government agencies. The survey targeted 16 specific agencies, including the EPA, NOAA, and the Department of Energy, using a methodology designed to ensure participant anonymity through randomized access codes and the redaction of identifying information. The results, intended for public release in summer 2018, aim to inform policy improvements and ensure independent science informs government decision-making.

• The 2018 survey targets 16 specific US federal agencies selected based on their science-based missions, policy implementation, or history of scientific integrity concerns. These include the US Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Geological Survey, US National Park Service, Bureau of Ocean Management, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the US Census Bureau, the Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and four components of the US Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service, Economic Research Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and National Agricultural Statistics Service).
• The survey employs several measures to ensure the anonymity of participants, including the use of randomized identification numbers (access codes) and the storage of responses in files separate from identifying information. To further protect identities, the UCS will not separately report any agency, office, or division that receives fewer than 100 responses, and personally identifying information will be redacted from open-ended responses before public release.
• The survey is funded primarily by UCS members and foundation grants, with additional funding or expert input provided by the American Geophysical Union, the Government Accountability Project, Greenpeace, and Friends of the Earth.
• The UCS encountered difficulties obtaining comprehensive employee data for certain agencies; specifically, the US Census Bureau, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Energy did not provide comprehensive job title information. In the case of the Department of Energy, the UCS was only able to include one component because the department refused access to its employee list and a FOIA request has been pending since March 2017.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2018). 2018 Federal Scientists Survey FAQ. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/2018-federal-scientists-survey-faq.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. 2018 Federal Scientists Survey FAQ. 2018. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/2018-federal-scientists-survey-faq.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=2018 Federal Scientists Survey FAQ |date=2018 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/2018-federal-scientists-survey-faq.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists20182018, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{2018 Federal Scientists Survey FAQ}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2018}, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/2018-federal-scientists-survey-faq.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }