[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8932-8933]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4452]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB review; comment request.

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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 and other Federal agencies to comment on 
this proposed continuing information collection. This is the second 
notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal 
Register at 67 FR 71595 and no comments were received. NSF is 
forwarding the proposed submission to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this 
second notice.

DATES: Comments regarding these information collections are best 
assured of having their full effect if received by OMB within 30 days 
of publication in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding (a) whether the collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
NSF, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 
the accuracy of NSF'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; or (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]. Copies of 
the submission may be obtained by calling (703) 292-7556.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, NSF Reports 
Clearance Officer at (703) 292-7556 or send e-mail to [email protected].
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information

[[Page 8933]]

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 Earned Doctorates.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0019.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an information 
collection for three years.
    1. Abstract: 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 Survey of Earned Doctorates is part of an 
integrated survey system that meets the human resources part of this 
mission.
    The Survey of Earned Doctorates has been conducted continuously 
since 1958 and is jointly sponsored by six Federal agencies in order to 
avoid duplication. It is an accurate, timely source of information on 
our Nation's most precious resource--highly educated individuals. Data 
are obtained via paper questionnaire or Web option from each person 
earning a research doctorate at the time they receive the degree. Data 
are collected on their field of specialty, educational background, 
sources of support in graduate school, debt level, postgraduation plans 
for employment, and demographic characteristics. The Federal 
government, universities, researchers, and others use the information 
extensively.
    The National Science Foundation, as the lead agency, publishes 
statistics from the survey in many reports, but primarily in the annual 
publication series, ``Science and Engineering Doctorates''. The 
National Opinion Research Corporation at the University of Chicago 
prepares and disseminates a free interagency report entitled 
``Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities: Summary Report.'' These 
reports are available in print and electronically on the World Wide 
Web.
    The survey will be collected in conformance with the Privacy Act of 
1974/Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act 
of 2002. The Federal government considers and NSF states that responses 
from individuals are 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 total response rate of 92% of the total 
40,744 persons who earned a research doctorate was obtained in academic 
year 2000/2001. This level of response rate has been consistent for 
several years. The respondents will be individuals and the estimated 
number of respondents annually is 37,485 (based on 2001 data).
    3. Estimate of Burden: The Foundation estimates that, on average, 
19 minutes per respondent will be required to complete the survey, for 
a total of 11,870 hours for all respondents (37,485 based on the 
Academic 2000/2001 number). This is reduced by 2,358 hours from the 
last annual estimate approved by OMB; this reduction is due to a 
revised, more efficient section on educational history and a declining 
number of research doctorate recipients since 1998.

    Dated: February 20, 2003.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 03-4452 Filed 2-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M