[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 28 (Monday, February 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6278-6279]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-3230]


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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 to OMB for review and 
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. 
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 Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, 
Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send e-mail 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 703-292-7556.
    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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   
    Title of Collection: Survey of Colleges and Universities Providing 
Graduate Degrees and Specializations in Evaluation and Providers of 
Professional Development Offerings.
    OMB Control No.: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Abstract: This document has been prepared to support the clearance 
of data collection instruments to be used in the Surveys of Colleges 
and Universities Providing Graduate Degrees and Specializations in 
Evaluation, and Providers of Evaluation Professional Development 
Offerings. A major problem that NSF faces is the lack of qualified 
evaluators to serve as

[[Page 6279]]

resources to NSF-funded projects. Therefore, the Evaluation Program has 
set as part of its mission the building of capacity in the field of 
evaluation. NSF's efforts will serve both to guarantee that there will 
be adequate numbers of trained evaluators to meet NSF's needs and to 
aid in creating a solid knowledge base for this relatively new 
professional field. Fundamental to both of these purposes is the 
collection of data on current capacity in the evaluation field to 
conduct training. This includes both formal education that leads to the 
granting of degrees, and informal education that fosters the 
acquisition of specific knowledge and skills through short courses, 
workshops, or Internet offerings. The approach encompasses two surveys. 
One is of university and college-based formal evaluation training 
programs leading to a major or minor course of graduate degree studies; 
the other is of professional training activities in evaluation that are 
regularly provided and may result in continuing education certificates.
    Expected Respondents: The expected respondents are twofold. Those 
responding to the college and university degree programs will be those 
institutions that offer formal degree or specialization programs in the 
field of evaluation. Those receiving the second type of survey will be 
institutions, companies and organizations that provide regular, short-
term, intensive training programs, such as institutes and short courses 
for both current and novice evaluators.
    Burden On The Public: The total elements for these two collections 
are 32 burden hours for a maximum of 120 participants annually, 
assuming an 80-100% response rate. The average annual reporting burden 
is under 20 minutes per respondent. The burden on the public is 
negligible, as the survey is limited to colleges, universities and 
other entities that provide degrees, areas of specialization, and 
professional development in the field of evaluation.

    Dated: February 5, 2002.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 02-3230 Filed 2-8-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M