[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 24, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 78514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32298]



[[Page 78514]]

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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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. The 
National Science Foundation (NSF) will publish periodic summaries of 
the proposed projects.
    Comments: Comments are invited on (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, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by February 24, 
2003 to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address 
below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports 
Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, 
Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send 
email to [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: 2003 Survey Of Doctorate Recipients.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0020.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2003.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an information 
collection for three years.

1. Abstract

    The Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR) has been conducted 
biennially since 1973. The 2003 SDR will consist of a sample of 
individuals under the age 76 who have earned research doctoral degrees 
in science and engineering from U.S. institutions. The purpose of this 
longitudinal study is to provide national estimates on the doctoral 
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 SDR is designed to comply with these mandates by 
providing information on the supply and utilization of nation's 
doctorate level 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 Disability 
in Science and Engineering and Science and Engineering Indicators. The 
NSF publishes statistics from the survey in many reports, but primarily 
in the biennial series, Characteristics of Doctoral Scientists and 
Engineers in the United States. A public release file of collected 
data, designed to protect respondent confidentiality, also is expected 
to be made available to research on CD-ROM and on the World Wide Web.
    The National Opinion Research Corporation at University of Chicago 
will conduct the study for NSF. Data are obtained by mail 
questionnaire, computer assisted telephone interviews and web survey 
beginning October 2003. 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

    A statistical sample of approximately 40,000 U.S. doctorates will 
be contacted in 2003. A total response rate in 2001 was 83%.

3. Estimate of Burden

    The amount of time to complete the questionnaire may vary depending 
on an individual's circumstance; however, on average it will take 
approximately 25 minutes to complete the survey. We estimate that the 
total annual burden will be 16,666 hours during the year.

    Dated: December 18, 2002.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 02-32298 Filed 12-23-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M