[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 189 (Thursday, September 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58297-58298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24876]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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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.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by November 27, 
2000 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or for a copy 
of the collection instrument and instructions contact Ms. Suzanne H. 
Plimpton, NSF Reports Clearance Officer, via surface mail: National 
Science Foundation, ATTN: NSF Reports Clearance Officer, Suite 295, 
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230 or e-mail: [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: 2001 National Survey of Recent College 
Graduates.
    OMB Control No.: 3145-0077.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2002.

1. Abstract

    The National Survey of Recent College Graduates (NSRCG) has been 
conducted biennially since 1974. For the 2001 cycle, a sample of 
individuals who have recently earned bachelor's and master's degrees in 
science and engineering from U.S. institutions will be surveyed. The 
purpose of the study is to provide national estimates describing the 
relationship between education and employment for bachelor's and 
master's recipients in science and engineering. 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 National Survey of Recent College Graduates is 
designed to comply with these mandates by providing information on the 
supply and utilization of scientists and engineers at the bachelor's 
and master's degree level. 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 
and Minorities in Science and Engineering and Science and Engineering 
Indicators. A public release file of collected data, designed to 
protect respondent confidentiality, is expected to be made available to 
researchers on CD-ROM and on the World Wide Web.
    The Survey will be primarily conducted using Computer Assisted 
Telephone Interviews (CATI). Questionnaires will be mailed only to 
those individuals who are unwilling to provide information over the 
telephone but willing to complete a mail questionnaire. CATI 
interviewing will begin in April 2001 and is estimated to end in 
December 2001. 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

    We will sample approximately 27,500 graduates with bachelor's and 
master's degrees in science and engineering from U.S. academic 
institutions

[[Page 58298]]

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 30 minutes to complete the survey. We estimate that the 
total annual burden will be 13,750 hours during the year.
    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 22, 2000.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
NSF Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-24876 Filed 9-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M