[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 6, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13595-13596]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5417]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request.

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the 
following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and 
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13. 
The first notice for this collection was published at 65 FR 58297 and 
no comments were received. Comments regarding (a) whether the 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information 
to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology should 
be addressed to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, 
Attention: Desk Officer for National Science Foundation, 725-17th 
Street, NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, and to Teresa R. Pierce, 
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson 
Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send email to 
[email protected]. Comments regarding these information collections are 
best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of 
this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by 
calling 703-292-7555.
    NSF may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless 
the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to 
the collection of information that such persons are not required to 
respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid OMB control number

Summary of Collection

    Title: 2001 National Survey of Recent College Graduates
    OMB Control Number: 3145-0077.

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 May 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 14,000 graduates with bachelor's and 
master's

[[Page 13596]]

degrees in science and engineering from U.S. academic institutions.

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 5,737 hours during the year.

    Dated: March 1, 2001.
Teresa R. Pierce,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 01-5417 Filed 3-5-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M