[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 249 (Friday, December 27, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79161-79162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32768]


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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 25, 
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 
e-mail 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 National Survey of Recent College 
Graduates.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0077.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2004.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an information 
collection for three years.

1. Abstract

    The National Survey of Recent College Graduates (NSRCG) has been 
conducted biennially since 1974. The 2003 NSRCG will consist of a 
sample of individuals who have completed bachelor's and master's 
degrees in science and engineering from U.S. institutions. The purpose 
of this study is to provide national estimates on the

[[Page 79162]]

new entrants in the science and engineering workforce and to provide 
estimates on the characteristics of recent bachelor's and master's 
graduates with science and engineering degrees. 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 NSRCG is designed to comply with these mandates by 
providing information on the supply and utilization of the nation's 
recent bachelor's and master's 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. NSF publishes statistics from the survey in many reports, 
but primarily in the biennial series, Characteristics of Recent Science 
and Engineering Graduates in the United States. A public release file 
of collected data, designed to protect respondent confidentiality, also 
is expected to be made available to researchers on CD-ROM and on the 
World Wide Web.
    Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. of Princeton, New Jersey 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 18,000 bachelor's and 
master's degree recipients in science, engineering, and health will be 
contacted in 2003. A total response rate in 2001 was 80%.

3. Estimate of Burden

    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. We estimate that the 
total annual burden will be 7,500 hours during the year.

    Dated: December 23, 2002.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 02-32768 Filed 12-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M