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About SESTAT
SESTAT is a comprehensive and integrated system of information about the employment, educational, and demographic characteristics of scientists and engineers (S&E) in the United States. In concept it covers those with a bachelor's degree or higher who either work in or are educated in science or engineering, although some data on the non-S&E are also included.
SESTAT was created by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to provide data for policy analysis and general research. The SESTAT data tool contains data from three NSF-sponsored demographic surveys: the National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG), the National Survey of Recent College Graduates (NSRCG), and the Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR). The surveys provide data that have been integrated into a single data tool, and include data going back to the 1993 surveys. Data are available for download, or through the SESTAT Data Tool, which allows users to generate custom data tables.
SESTAT Frequently Asked Questions
What types of data are available?
SESTAT contains the following types of count and characteristics data for scientists and engineers:
Labor Force Information
For the employed:
- Primary job and salary during reference week
- Full/part-time status -- including reasons for part-time
- If previously retired
- Type of employer: educational institution (by type); private for-profit;
private not-for-profit; government (by level)
- If self-employed
- Supervisory responsibility, including number typically supervised
directly and through subordinates
- Relationship between work and education (highest degree) -- including
reasons for employment outside the degree field
- Typical work activities (in 14 categories) -- including primary and
secondary work activities
- Licensing/certification if required/recommended or held
- U.S. government support for work -- including supporting agencies or departments
- Second job -- including occupation, salary, and relationship between work and education (highest degree)
For the unemployed and those not in the labor force:
- Reasons for not working during the reference week
- When last worked
- Job last worked
Other Work-Related Information
Labor Force Status: Five Years Ago
- Type of employer and job
- If different from current job, reasons for changing employer or job
Professional Activities:
- Membership in professional societies and associations -- including meeting attendance
- Participation in work-related activities -- including types of activities and reasons
for participation
Education
- First B.A. and two most recent degrees -- level, degree field (major and minor), when awarded
- Earlier education -- date awarded high school diploma; Associate degree(s)
- Continuing education -- post-degree college courses, reasons and field of study; employer financing
- Work-related training -- types of work-related training and reasons for training activities
Other Information
Family-related:
- Marital status
- Spouse's employment status -- if working full/part-time, technical expertise required on job
- Children living at home (and ages)
- Parents' educational attainment
Demographics:
- Citizenship status (by type)
- Age
- Race/ethnicity
- Sex
- Disability
- Country of birth
How do I access the SESTAT Data Tool?
The SESTAT Data Tool is available at http://sestat.nsf.gov/datatool.
The SESTAT software will allow you to:
- Generate a customized table
- Access commonly asked for tables
- View technical documentation
- View announcements about the availability of new and updated SESTAT data
Public use data are also available in CD format. Request a CD via email to
sestat@nsf.gov.
How is the confidentiality of the data preserved?
The National Science Foundation pledges confidentiality to each survey
respondent. SESTAT protects respondent confidentiality through a variety of
electronic and other means. For this reason, not all data collected in SESTAT is
available in public use form.
Scope of Data
How many surveys are in SESTAT, and how do their samples fit together?
SESTAT currently includes data from a set of surveys sponsored by the National Science
Foundation conducted in 1993, 1995, 1997, and 1999. These surveys are the National Survey of
College Graduates, the National Survey of Recent College Graduates, and the
Survey of Doctorate Recipients. Each survey includes information for a distinct segment of the
SESTAT target population. These surveys exclude people over 75 years of age, or not living in
the US on the reference date, or those who are institutionalized.
The 1993 National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG) was a once-a-decade survey of all college graduates, both S&E and
non-S&E. It includes information on people who held a bachelor's degree or higher in any field
on or before April 1, 1990. In subsequent years, the NSCG only included a followup of
individuals in some degree levels and fields.
The 1993 National Survey of Recent College Graduates (NSRCG)
includes information on people who received a bachelor's or master's degree in a science or
engineering (S&E) from a U.S. institution between April 1, 1990 and June 30, 1992.
The 1993 Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR), conducted by the National Research Council,
includes information on people who received a doctorate degree in a S&E field from a U.S.
institution prior to July 1, 1992.
The 1995 NSCG survey includes information on people
who recieved a bachelor's or master's degree in a science or engineering field prior to
July 1, 1992, or who had an S&E occupation in the 1993 NSCG. This target population
for this survey included a) respondents to the 1993 NSCG who had at least one S&E degree,
or those who had an S&E occupation (who will now be referred to as the original NSCG);
AND b) respondents to the 1993 NSRCG (who will now be referred to as the 1993 NSRCG Panel).
The 1995 NSRCG includes information on people who received a bachelor's
or master's degree
in a science or engineering field from a U.S. institution between July 1, 1992 and June 30, 1994.
The 1995 SDR includes information on people who
received a doctorate degree from a U.S.
institution in a S&E field prior to July 1, 1994.
The 1997 NSCG includes information on people who receieved a bachelor's or master's
degree in a science or engineering field prior to July 1, 1994, or who had an S&E occupation in 1993.
The 1997 NSCG includes information on people who responded to the 1995 NSCG
(original NSCG and 1993 NSRCG Panel) and individuals from the 1995 NSRCG
(who will now be referred to as the 1995 NSRCG Panel).
The 1997 NSRCG includes information on people who received a bachelor's or master's degree
in a science or engineering field from a U.S. institution between July 1, 1994 and June 30, 1996.
The 1997 SDR includes
information on people who received a doctorate degree from a U.S.
institution in a S&E field prior to July 1, 1996.
The 1999 NSCG includes information on people who receieved a bachelor's or master's degree in a
science or engineering field prior to July 1, 1996, or who had an S&E occupation in 1993.
The 1999 NSCG includes information on people who responded to the 1997 NSCG
(original NSCG, 1993 NSRCG Panel, 1995 NSRCG Panel) and individuals from the 1997 NSRCG
(who will now be referred to as the 1997 NSRCG Panel).
The 1999 NSRCG includes information on people who received a
bachelor's or master's degree in a science or engineering field from a U.S. institution
between July 1, 1996 and June 30, 1998.
The 1999 SDR includes information on people who
received a doctorate degree from a U.S. institution in a S&E field prior to July 1, 1998.
Who is included in the definition of "scientist" and "engineer" for SESTAT?
In SESTAT, scientists and engineers are defined as those who either received a college degree
(bachelor's or higher) in a science or engineering field or who work as a scientist or engineer and
have a bachelor's degree or higher in any field.
The following degree fields and occupational categories are considered to be science and
engineering in SESTAT:
| Science and Engineering Degree Fields |
Science and Engineering Occupations |
Computer and mathematical sciences
Life sciences (agricultural, food, biological, medical and environmental life sciences;
health fields at the doctoral level)
Physical sciences (chemistry, earth science, geology,
oceanography, physics or astronomy)
Social sciences (economics, political science, psychology, sociology, anthropology)
Engineering
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Computer and mathematical scientists
Life scientists (agricultural, food, biological, medical and environmental
life scientists)
Physical scientists (chemists, earth scientists, geologists, oceanographers,
physicists, astronomers)
Social scientists (economists, political scientists, psychologists,
sociologists, anthropologists, S&T historians)
Engineers
Postsecondary teachers in any of the science or engineering degree fields
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The following fields are not considered to be science or engineering:
| Non-Science and Engineering Degree Fields |
Non-Science and Engineering Occupations |
Business administration
Business & managerial economics
Health fields, at the bachelor's and master's level
Education fields
Social services and related fields (social work, philosophy, religion, theology)
Technologies fields (computer programming, data processing, engineering technologies)
Sales and market fields
Art and humanities fields
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Managers and administrators
Health-related occupations (doctors and other health practicioners,
nurses, pharmacists, therapists, health technologists and technicians)
Pre-college teachers
Postsecondary teachers in non-S&E fields
Social services occupations (clergy, counselors, social workers)
Technologists and technicians (computer programmers, technicians in S&E fields)
Sales and marketing occupations
Artists and other Humanties occupations (artists, editors, writers, non-S&T historians)
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How often are the SESTAT data updated?
New data are added to SESTAT every two years. Information from the 1993, 1995, 1997 and 1999
surveys are currently available.
What kind of information does SESTAT provide?
SESTAT contains employment information for each respondent as of the survey reference week
(the week of April 15,1993 for the 1993 surveys; April 15, 1995 for the 1995 surveys; April
15, 1997 for the 1997 surveys; and April 15, 1999 for the 1999 surveys).
This information includes occupation, past employment, and
other work-related information such as years of professional training and attendance at
meetings.
SESTAT also includes information on education, including degrees earned and fields of study
and recent courses taken.
SESTAT includes demographic data and variables related to the sample design as well as
analysis weights.
How many observations are on the database?
There are 207,825 observations on the 1993 SESTAT database:
- 148,905 from the National Survey of College Graduates
- 19,426 from the National Survey of Recent College Graduates
- 39,494 from the Survey of Doctorate Recipients.
- 126,721 in the SESTAT integrated file
There are 105,158 observations on the 1995 SESTAT database:
- 53,448 from the National Survey of College Graduates
46,622 from the original 1993 NSCG
6,826 from the 1993 NSRCG Panel
- 16,338 from the National Survey of Recent College Graduates
- 35,370 from the Survey of Doctorate Recipients.
- 104,618 in the SESTAT integrated file
There are 100,932 observations on the 1997 SESTAT database:
- 54,813 from the National Survey of College Graduates
42,506 from the original 1993 NSCG
6,052 from the 1993 NSRCG Panel
6,255 from the 1995 NSRCG Panel
- 10,452 from the National Survey of Recent College Graduates
- 35,667 from the Survey of Doctorate Recipients.
- 100,185 in the SESTAT integrated file
There are 88,247 observations on the 1999 SESTAT database:
- 46,945 from the National Survey of College Graduates
31,928 from the original 1993 NSCG
3,620 from the 1993 NSRCG Panel
5,556 from the 1995 NSRCG Panel
5,841 from the 1997 NSRCG Panel
- 9,984 from the National Survey of Recent College Graduates
- 31,318 from the Survey of Doctorate Recipients
- 87,216 in the SESTAT integrated file.
Who is not represented in the sample?
While the SESTAT data system captures the vast majority of the scientists and engineers in the
United States, some groups are not included in some years because of when they received their
degrees or where they lived at the time of the survey. For instance, people who received their
first S&E degree in January 1995 would not be in the 1995 sample. This is because the 1995
sample includes recent graduates receiving their degree on or before June 1994. (The January
1995 graduates would be part of the 1997 survey sample). Descriptions of the omitted groups
for each survey year are provided below.
The following groups of people are not included in the 1993 databases:
- people who obtained their first college degree in science or engineering between June 30,
1992 and April 15, 1993 (the reference week)
- people who obtained their first science or engineering degrees obtained abroad since April 1,
1990, but were living in the U.S. during the reference week
- people working as a scientist or engineer during the reference week, but who received their
first college degree in a non-science, non-engineering field between April 1, 1990 and the
reference week
- people who were living outside the U.S. on April 1, 1990 (immigrants who arrived
subsequently or Americans who returned from abroad) and did not receive a science or
engineering degree in the U.S. between their arrival and June 30, 1992, but who are part of
the SESTAT target population.
The following groups of people are not included in the 1995 databases:
- people who obtained their first college degree in science or engineering between June 30,
1994 and April 15, 1995 (the reference week)
- people who obtained their first degree in science or engineering abroad since April 1, 1990
but were living in the U.S. during the reference week
- people working as a scientist or engineer in April 1993, but who received their first college
degree in a non-science, non-engineering field between April 1, 1990 and April 15, 1993
- people working as a scientist or engineer in April 1995, but who received their first college
degree in a non-science, non-engineering field after April 1, 1990
- people who were living outside the U.S. on April 1, 1990 and did not receive a science or
engineering degree in the U.S. between their arrival and June 30, 1994, but who are part of
the SESTAT target population.
The following groups of people are not included in the 1997 databases:
- people who obtained their first college degree in science or engineering between June 30,
1996 and April 15, 1997 (the reference week)
- people who obtained their first degree in science or engineering abroad since April 1, 1990
but were living in the U.S. during the reference week
- people working as a scientist or engineer in April 1993, but who received their first college
degree in a non-science, non-engineering field between April 1, 1990 and April 15, 1993
- people working as a scientist or engineer in April 1995, but who received their first college
degree in a non-science, non-engineering field after April 1, 1990
- people working as a scientist or engineer in April 1997, but who received their first college
degree in a non-science, non-engineering field after April 1, 1990
- people who were living outside the U.S. on April 1, 1990 and did not receive a science or
engineering degree in the U.S. between their arrival and June 30, 1996, but who are part of
the SESTAT target population.
The following groups of people are not included in the 1999 databases:
- people who obtained their first college degree in science or engineering between
June 30, 1998 and April 15, 1999 (the reference week)
- people who obtained their first degree in science or engineering abroad since
April 1, 1990 but were living in the U.S. during the reference week
- people working as a scientist or engineer in April 1993, but who received their
first college degree in a non-science, non-engineering field between April 1, 1990 and
April 15, 1993
- people working as a scientist or engineer in April 1995, but who received their first
college degree in a non-science, non-engineering field after April 1, 1990
- people working as a scientist or engineer in April 1997, but who received their first
college degree in a non-science, non-engineering field after April 1, 1990
- people working as a scientist or engineer in April 1999, but who received their first
college degree in a non-science, non-engineering field after April 1, 1990
- people who were living outside the U.S. on April 1, 1990 and did not receive a science
or engineering degree in the U.S. between their arrival and June 30, 1998, but who are part
of the SESTAT target population.
Do SESTAT data include foreign-born and
foreign-trained scientists and engineers living in the
U.S.?
The SESTAT data include all scientists and engineers living in the U.S. during the reference
week, regardless of their place of birth, with the following exceptions. Foreign-trained scientists
and engineers whose first science or engineering degree at the bachelor's level or higher was
obtained abroad after April 1, 1990 are not represented in the sample if they did not have at least
a bachelor's degree in any field before April 1,1990, or if they were not working as a scientist or
engineer during the 1993 reference week.
Also not included are those who received their first bachelor's degree in any field abroad after
April 1, 1990 even though they were working as a scientist or engineer during the 1993 reference
week.
Does SESTAT cover people trained in a science or engineering field but who currently work in another field?
As long as a person received at least a bachelor's degree in a science or engineering field, he or
she is represented in the SESTAT database, regardless of current occupation. Furthermore, a
person working as a scientist or engineer in April 1993, but who has no degree at any level in
science or engineering is also included in the SESTAT database as long as they hold a bachelor's
degree in any field.
Who is included in SESTAT's "S&E Portion - College Grads"?
In 1993, this is the portion of the National Survey of College Graduates that either had an
S&E degree, or an S&E occupation. In 1995, 1997, and 1999, it refers to the total
NSCG population in these years. Please keep in mind that after 1993, the NSCG only included
science and engineering degree holders, or those without such degrees, but who had an S&E
job in 1993.
- 1993 NSCG: two portions of the population
Non-S&E Portion: those with neither an S&E degree or and S&E occupation.
S&E Portion - College Grads: those with and S&E degree or with an S&E occupation.
This portion was incorporated into SESTAT, and is referred to as the original 1993 NSCG.
- 1995 NSCG = Original 1993 NSCG +1993 NSRCG Panel
Both populations are collectively referred to as the 1995 NSCG,
or the 1995 S&E Portion - College Grads. It includes:
- persons who earned a bachelor's or higher degree in an S&E field
before April 1, 1990 or
- persons working in an S&E occupation in April 1993
(and who had a least a bachelor's degree as of April 1, 1990), or
- persons who earned a bachelor's or master's degree in and S&E field
between April 1, 1990 and June 1992.
- 1997 NSCG = Original 1993 NSCG + 1993 NSRCG Panel + 1995 NSRCG Panel
All three populations are collectively referred to as the 1997 NSCG, or the 1997
S&E Portion - College Grads. It includes:
- persons who earned a bachelor's or higher degree in an S&E field before
April 1, 1990 or
- persons working in an S&E occupation in April 1993
(and who had a least a bachelor's degree as of April 1, 1990), or
- persons who earned a bachelor's or master's degree in and S&E field
between April 1, 1990 and June 1994.
- 1999 NSCG = Original 1993 NSCG + 1993 NSRCG Panel + 1995 NSRCG Panel + 1997 NSRCG Panel
All four populations are collectively referred to as the 1999 NSCG, or the
1999 S&E Portion - College Grads. It includes:
- persons who earned a bachelor's or higher degree in an S&E field
before April 1, 1990 or
- persons working in an S&E occupation in April 1993
(and who had a least a bachelor's degree as of April 1, 1990), or
- persons who earned a bachelor's or master's degree in and S&E field
between April 1, 1990 and June 1996.
Data Collection
Who collects SESTAT data?
Although the National Science Foundation sponsors the surveys and specifies various features of
the survey designs, the surveys themselves are conducted by different organizations under
contract to NSF. Portions of the National Survey of College Graduates has been conducted
by the Bureau of the Census and Westat;
the National Survey of Recent College Graduates has been conducted by Westat, Inc.;
the Survey of
Doctorate Recipients has been conducted by the National Research Council, the National
Opinion Research Center, and the Census Bureau. Although the SESTAT data are collected by different organizations,
common survey instruments, editing procedures, etc. are used to provide greater comparability
of the data. Assistance in these areas is provided by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
How were SESTAT data collected?
The National Survey of College Graduates was conducted by mail with computer-assisted
telephone interviewing (CATI) follow-up of all nonrespondents. Additionally, nonrespondents
inaccessible by telephone were followed up via computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI)
in 1993, 1995 and 1997. The National Survey of Recent College Graduates was conducted almost
entirely via CATI, with some mail follow-up for sample members who could not be reached by
telephone. The portions of the NSCG that were conducted by Westat were also almost entirely
viat CATI, with some limited mail follow-up. The Survey of Doctorate Recipients was conducted
by mail with CATI follow-up of all nonrespondents in 1993 and 1999 and a subsample of
nonrespondents in 1995 and 1997.
Data Analysis
Where can I find pre-formatted tables containing SESTAT data and other scientist and engineer labor force data?
For pre-formatted tables. see publications in the series Characteristics of Doctoral S&E, Characteristics of Recent College Graduates, and Characteristics of S&E in the U.S.
Which analysis weight should I use when analyzing SESTAT data?
Because of the differential rates at which respondents were sampled, both within and across
surveys, analysis weights must be used when producing population estimates. Two analysis
weights are supplied on each of the SESTAT databases. In almost all circumstances, one would
use the weight labeled "Z_WEIGHTING_FACTOR." This weighting factor should always be
used for the national population of scientists and engineers. This weight has been adjusted for
overlapping survey populations (i.e., multiplicity).
See the Technical Information section for more information on how the three surveys overlap.
For special purposes, one may want to use data from only one of the three surveys, in which case
"Z_WEIGHTING_FACTOR_SURVEY" should be used. Z_WEIGHTING_FACTOR_SURVEY
is a survey-specific weight that has not been adjusted for multiplicity. To look at the results
from a specific survey, use Z_SURVEY_IDENTIFIER to identify the survey you want, and use
Z_WEIGHTING_FACTOR_SURVEY to obtain estimates.
What is the citation for SESTAT data?
Several suggestions for SESTAT citations are shown below, but the final choice is the authors, of course.
Suggested SESTAT citations:
- The following could be used in text situation or as part of a forward. National Science
Foundation, Division of Science Resources Studies, Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data
System (SESTAT), xxxx. The SESTAT web site is http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/sestat/
- For an NSF published table, the following shorter citation might be used: SOURCE: National
Science Foundation/Division of Science Resources Statistics.
1995 SESTAT Integrated Data System.
- For special or unpublished table: SOURCE: National Science Foundation/Division of
Science Resources Statistics. 1995 SESTAT Integrated Data System.
Unpublished tabulation created by (organization name, author, etc.)
Where can I find the survey instruments?
You may view the SESTAT survey instruments on-line.
From the SESTAT home page (http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/sestat/), select the "Survey Questionnaires" link.
You will be presented with a chart containing links to "pdf" versions of the survey instruments.
How do I contact SESTAT staff?
For more information about SESTAT, e-mail: sestat@nsf.gov , or write to:
Division of Science Resources Statistics
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd, Room 965
Arlington, VA 22230
Attn: SESTAT Information
For answers to technical questions about SESTAT, please contact the following individuals:
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