The document provides an overview and analysis of the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) final guidelines for peer review of influential scientific information, issued in December 2004 under the Information Quality Act. These guidelines are designed to improve the quality and reliability of scientific information used in federal agency decision-making. While universities are not directly affected, university scientists may be impacted if their research is formally endorsed or incorporated by a federal agency. Researchers are advised to use disclaimers clarifying that their findings do not represent the views of their funding agencies, particularly to maintain exclusion from certain information quality provisions. The guidelines stipulate increased transparency in agency peer review processes, requiring public disclosure of peer review panels’ membership and affiliations, though not individual attributions.
The guidelines clarify when and how peer review by federal agencies is required. They consider factors such as the novelty, complexity, importance, and potential monetary impact of the scientific information. Notably, the scope for required peer review is broadened from the previous version, lowering the threshold for monetary impact and emphasizing the review of novel or controversial scientific assessments. These changes, while intended to enhance integrity, are expected to increase administrative burdens on agencies. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) receives strong endorsement, with its processes accepted as a standard for peer review and agencies encouraged to utilize NAS assessments when appropriate. The document details the evolution of the guidelines, incorporating stakeholder feedback—including COGR’s concerns—regarding scope, reviewer selection, and process burdens. Overall, the guidelines place a heightened emphasis on rigor, transparency, and public accountability in the federal use of scientific information, with corresponding implications for administrative procedures and stakeholders involved in federally supported research.
