[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 51 (Monday, March 17, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 12717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6224]



[[Page 12717]]

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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 69573 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 Teresa R. Pierce, 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) 292-7555.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Teresa R. Pierce, NSF Reports 
Clearance Officer at (703) 292-7555 or send e-mail to [email protected].
    An agency 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: 2003 National Survey of College Graduates.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0141.
    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 of 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 
purposes, analyzing data, and preparing scientific reports and 
articles.
    Expected Respondents: A sample of approximately 233,000 persons 
identified as having at least a bachelor's degree will receive the mail 
questionnaire. During the computer-assisted followup stage, the sample 
design uses a subsampling procedure similar to the one used on the 
American Community Survey as a cost efficient design strategy. The 
sample and subsample will be selected according to generally accepted 
probability sampling procedures.
    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 73,649 
hours during the year.

    Dated: March 11, 2003.
Teresa R. Pierce,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 03-6224 Filed 3-14-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M