[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 179 (Wednesday, September 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 49615]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24848]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

TITLE OF COLLECTION: 1999 National Survey of College Graduates (OMB 
Control No. 3145-0141).

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or for a copy 
of the collection instruments and instructions contact Ms. Mary Lou 
Higgs, Acting Clearance Officer, via surface mail: National Science 
Foundation, ATTN: NSF Reports Clearance Officer, Suite 295, 4201 Wilson 
Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230; telephone (703) 306-2063; e-mail 
[email protected]; or FAX (703) 306-0201.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Abstract

    The National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG) has been conducted 
biennially since 1993. In the 1999 NSCG, persons trained and/or working 
in science and engineering will be contacted. The purpose of this 
longitudinal study is to provide national estimates on the 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 NSCG is designed to comply with these mandates by 
providing information on the supply and utilization of the nation's 
scientists and engineers. The NSCG provides the majority of records 
into the SESTAT data system. The NSF uses this information to prepare 
congressionally mandates reports such as Science and Engineering 
Indicators and Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering. A 
public release file of collected data, edited to protect respondent 
confidentiality, will be made available to researchers on CD-ROM and on 
the World Wide Web.
    The Bureau of the Census, as in the past, will conduct the study 
for NSF. Questionnaires will be mailed in April 1999 and nonrespondents 
to the mail questionnaire computer assisted telephone interviewing. The 
survey will be collected in conformance with the Privacy Act of 1974 
and the individual's response to the survey is voluntary.
    2. Expected Respondents: We will mail the survey to a statistical 
sample of approximately 40,000 respondents from the 1997 NSCG survey.
    3. Burden on the Public: 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 the 
complete the survey. We estimated that the total annual burden will be 
16,666 hours during the year.

Comments Requested

DATES: Send written comments to NSF on or before November 16, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Ms. Mary Lou Higgs, Acting 
Clearance Officer, through surface mail at: National Science 
Foundation, ATTN: NSF Reports Clearance Officer, Suite 295, 4201 Wilson 
Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230; through e-mail to [email protected]; or 
via FAX (703) 306-0201.

SPECIAL AREAS FOR REVIEW: NSF request special review and comments in 
the following areas:
    (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.

    Dated: September 8, 1998.
Mary Lou Higgs,
Acting NSF Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-24848 Filed 9-15-98; 8:45 am]
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