[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 222 (Monday, November 18, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69573-69574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29105]


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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, 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.

DATES: Written comments (see below for details) on this notice must be 
received by January 17, 2003 to be assured of consideration. Comments 
received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. 
Send comments to the address below.
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Agency, including whether the information shall 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
respondents, including through the use of automated

[[Page 69574]]

collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or for a copy 
of the collection instruments and instructions contact Ms. Suzanne H. 
Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, via surface mail: National Science 
Foundation, ATTN: NSF Reports Clearance Officer, Suite 295, 4201 Wilson 
Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230; telephone (703) 292-7556; e-mail 
[email protected]; or FAX (703) 292-9188.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: 2003 National Survey of College Graduates.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0141.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2001.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to reinstate an 
information collection for three years.
    1. Abstract: The National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG), 
formerly called the National Survey of Natural and Social Scientists 
and Engineers, has been conducted biennially since the 1970s. The 2003 
NSCG will consist of a sample of individuals under the age 76 with at 
least a bachelor's degree as of April 1, 2000, the day of Census 2000. 
The 2003 NSCG will be the baseline survey for NSCG surveys for the rest 
of the decade. 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. 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, 
Minorities and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering and 
Science and Engineering Indicators. A public release file of collected 
data, designed 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 October 2003 and 
nonrespondents to the mail questionnaire will be followed by computer-
assisted interviewing. 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 
puposes, analyzing data, and preparing scientific reports and articles.
    2. Expected Respondents: A sample of approximately 180,000 persons 
identified as having at least a bachelor's degree will receive the mail 
questionnaire. The sample will be selected according to generally 
accepted probability sampling procedures.
    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 complete 
the survey. NSF estimates that the total annual burden will be 75,000 
hours during the year.

    Dated: November 12, 2002.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 02-29105 Filed 11-15-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M