[Federal Register: December 24, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 247)]
[Notices]
[Page 78514]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24de02-131]
[[Page 78514]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 February 24,
2003 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
email to splimpto@nsf.gov. 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: 2003 Survey Of Doctorate Recipients.
OMB Approval Number: 3145-0020.
Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2003.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an information
collection for three years.
1. Abstract
The Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR) has been conducted
biennially since 1973. The 2003 SDR will consist of a sample of
individuals under the age 76 who have earned research doctoral degrees
in science and engineering from U.S. institutions. The purpose of this
longitudinal 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 nation's
doctorate 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 labor force 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 Disability
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 is expected
to be made available to research on CD-ROM and on the World Wide Web.
The National Opinion Research Corporation at University of Chicago
will conduct the study for NSF. Data are obtained by mail
questionnaire, computer assisted telephone interviews and web survey
beginning October 2003. The survey will be collected in conformance
with the Privacy Act of 1974 and 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 research
or statistical purposes, analyzing data, and preparing scientific
reports and articles.
2. Expected Respondents
A statistical sample of approximately 40,000 U.S. doctorates will
be contacted in 2003. A total response rate in 2001 was 83%.
3. Estimate of Burden
The amount of time to complete the questionnaire may vary depending
on an individual's circumstance; however, on average it will take
approximately 25 minutes to complete the survey. We estimate that the
total annual burden will be 16,666 hours during the year.
Dated: December 18, 2002.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 02-32298 Filed 12-23-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M