[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 26, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51276-51277]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21698]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


NICHD Research Partner Satisfaction Surveys; Proposed Collection, 
Comment Request

    Summary: In compliance with the requirement of Section 
3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, for opportunity 
for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the National 
Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the National 
Institutes of Health (NIH) will publish periodic summaries of proposed 
projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review and approval.
    Proposed Collection: Title: NICHD Research Partner Satisfaction 
Surveys. Type of Information Collection Request: New. Need and Use of 
Information Collection: Executive Order 12862 directs agencies that 
provide significant services directly to the public to survey customers 
to determine the kind and quality of services they want and their level 
of satisfaction with existing services. With this submission, the 
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), 
Office of Science Policy, Analysis and Communication (OSPAC), seeks to 
obtain OMB's generic approval to conduct customer satisfaction surveys 
surrounding its research programs and activities.
    The NICHD was founded in 1963. Its mission is to ensure, through 
research, the birth of healthy infants and the opportunity for each to 
reach full potential in adulthood, unimpaired by physical or mental 
disabilities. The NICHD conducts and supports research on the many 
factors that protect and enhance the processes of human growth and 
development. The developmental focus of the NICHD means that its 
research portfolio is unusually broad. NICHD programs include research 
on infant mortality, birth defects, learning disorders, developmental 
disabilities, vaccine development, and demographic and behavioral 
sciences, among others.
    In addition to supporting laboratory research, clinical trials, and 
epidemiological studies that explore health processes, the NICHD 
disseminates information that emanates from its research programs to 
its customers, or those who are partners with the Institute. This 
includes scientists, practitioners, other health professionals, and the 
public.
    Survey information will augment the NICHD's on-going efforts to 
evaluate their research funding mechanisms, activities, and programs, 
as well as the information products that are used to disseminate 
research findings. Primary objectives are: (1) To identify 
opportunities and barriers to achieving scientific aims; (2) to learn 
about emerging scientific opportunities and unmet public health needs; 
(3) to measure customer satisfaction with information products; and (4) 
to identify strengths and weaknesses of the NICHD's program operations. 
The OSPAC will use the survey results to better respond to its 
customers, including its various partners in research, and to improve 
the NICHD's research programs and activities. Findings will help to: 
(1) Formulate strategies to help enhance research opportunities and 
remove barriers; (2) target the NICHD's research programs and 
activities to take advantage of emerging scientific opportunities and 
meet public health needs related to its mission; (3) develop 
information products tailored to the NICHD audience; and (4) improve 
program planning, management, and operations. Frequency of Response: 
Annual [As needed on an on-going and concurrent basis]. Affected 
Public: Members of the public, researchers, practitioners, and other 
health professionals. Type of Respondents: Members of the public; 
eligible grant applicants and actual applicants (both successful and 
unsuccessful); clinicians and other health professionals; and actual or 
potential clinical trials participants. The annual reporting burden is 
as follows: Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,954; Estimated Number of 
Responses per Respondent: 1; Average Burden Hours Per Response: Varies 
with survey type, see below; and Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours 
Requested: 1113.25. The annualized cost to respondents is estimated at: 
$16,698.75. There are no Capital Costs to report. There are no 
Operating or Maintenance Costs to report.

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                                                                     Estimated                       Estimated
                                                     Estimated       number of        Average      total annual
               Type of respondents                   number of     responses per   burden hours    burden hours
                                                    respondents     respondent     per response      requested
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Web-based.......................................           3,387               1            0.25          846.75
E-mail..........................................             100               1            0.25           25.00
Telephone.......................................             214               1            0.50          107.00
Paper...........................................             237               1            0.50          118.50
In-person.......................................              16               1            1.00           16.00
                                                 -----------------
  Total.........................................           3,954  ..............  ..............        1,113.25
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Request for Comments: Written comments and/or suggestions from the 
public and affected agencies are invited on one or more of the 
following points: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the function of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) The 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on those who are to 
respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on the 
proposed project, contact Paul L. Johnson, NIH NICHD Office of Science

[[Page 51277]]

Policy, Analysis and Communication (OSPAC), 9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg. 
31, Rm. 2A-18, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2425, or call non-toll-free at 
301-402-3213. You may also e-mail your request to 
[email protected].

Comments Due Date: Comments regarding this information collection are 
best assured of having their full effect if received within 60-days of 
the date of this publication.

    Dated: August 15, 2003.
April Burton,
Project Clearance Liaison, NICHD, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 03-21698 Filed 8-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P