[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 46 (Friday, March 7, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 12470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-4483]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: Under the paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the National Science Foundation
(NSF) is inviting the general public or other Federal agencies to
comment on this proposed continuing information collection. The
National Science Foundation (NSF) will publish periodic summaries of
the proposed projects.
Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the Foundation, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Foundation's estimate
of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by May 6, 2008,
to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date will be
considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports
Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard,
Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send
e-mail to [email protected]. Individuals who use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., eastern
time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Collection: 2008 Survey of Doctorate Recipients.
OMB Approval Number: 3145-0020.
Expiration Date of Approval: February, 28, 2009.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to reinstate an
information collection for three years.
1. Abstract
The Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR) has been conducted
biennially since 1973. The 2008 SDR will consist of a sample of
individuals under the age 76 who have earned a research doctoral degree
in a science, engineering or health field from an U.S. institution. The
purpose of this longitudinal panel study is to provide national
estimates on the doctoral science and engineering workforce and changes
in employment, education and demographic characteristics. The study is
one of three components of the Scientists and Engineers Statistical
Data System (SESTAT), which produces national estimates of the size and
characteristics of the nation's science and engineering population.
The National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as subsequently
amended, includes a statutory charge to ``* * * provide a central
clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, and analysis of data
on scientific and engineering resources, and to provide a source of
information for policy formulation by other agencies of the Federal
Government.'' The SDR is designed to comply with these mandates by
providing information on the supply and utilization of the nation's
doctoral level scientists and engineers. Collected data will be used to
produce estimates of the characteristics of these individuals. They
will also provide necessary input into the SESTAT data system, which
produces national estimates of the size and characteristics of the
country's science and engineering population.
The Foundation uses this information to prepare congressionally
mandated reports such as Women, Minorities and Persons with
Disabilities in Science and Engineering and Science and Engineering
Indicators. The NSF publishes statistics from the survey in many
reports, but primarily in the biennial series, Characteristics of
Doctoral Scientists and Engineers in the United States. A public
release file of collected data, designed to protect respondent
confidentiality, also will be made available to researchers on CD-ROM
and on the World Wide Web. A private contractor is currently being
selected to conduct this study for NSF. Data will be obtained by mail
questionnaire, computer-assisted telephone interviews and web survey
beginning October 2008. The survey will be collected in conformance
with the Confidential Information and Statistical Efficient Act of
2002. The individual's response to the survey is voluntary. NSF will
insure that all information collected will be kept strictly
confidential and will be used only for statistical purposes.
2. Expected Respondents
A statistical sample of approximately 40,000 individuals with U.S.
earned doctorates in science, engineering and health will be contacted
in 2008. The total response rate in 2006 was 79%. NSF is also
considering sampling 2,000 additional U.S. doctorates that received
their degrees in the 2001-2007 academic years, who are non U.S.
citizens, and indicated they planned on leaving the United States after
they received their doctorate.
3. Estimate of Burden
The amount of time to complete the questionnaire may vary depending
on an individual's circumstances; however, on average it will take
approximately 25 minutes to complete the survey. We estimate that the
total annual burden will be 16,700 hours during the collection. If the
additional 2,000 respondents who had plans to leave the United States
are included in the sample, that will increase the burden an additional
850 hours to a total of 17,550 hours.
Dated: March 4, 2008.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. E8-4483 Filed 3-6-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P