[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 219 (Thursday, November 13, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 64372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-28392]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Public Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
seek approval of this information collection. In accordance with the 
requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and as part of the 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, NSF is 
inviting the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on 
this proposed information collection.

DATES: Written comments should be received by January 12, 2004 to be 
assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be 
considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESS: Written comments regarding the information collection and 
requests for copies of the proposed information collection request 
should be addressed to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, 
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm. 295, Arlington, VA 
22230, or by e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton at (703) 292-7556, 
or 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: Data Collection on Public Understanding of 
Science and Technology.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval of an information 
collection for three years.
    Proposed Project: For over twenty years, the National Science 
Foundation (NSF) has conducted a series of surveys to collect 
information about public attitudes toward and understanding of science 
and technology. NSF is currently reconsidering its data collection 
strategy. While the redesign is in process, NSF wishes to collect data 
on a limited number of key questions to maintain the continuity of its 
time series data and alert policy officials to significant changes, if 
any, in historic levels of public understanding and/or support for 
sciences and technology. For these purposes, NSF plans to add questions 
and requiring an average of 15 minutes of time per respondent to an 
ongoing, high quality survey with consistently high response rates (The 
University of Michigan Survey of Consumer Attitudes).
    Use of the Information: The primary immediate use of the data will 
be in Science and Engineering Indicators--2006, a biannual statistical 
report from the National Science Board to the President and Congress on 
the state of science and engineering in the United States. The report 
includes a chapter on public understanding of and attitudes toward 
science and technology. Science and Engineering Indicators is used 
extensively by officials and researchers in government, education, 
industry, and professional and nonprofit associations both in the 
United States and abroad.
    In addition, NSF's Office of Legislative and Public Affairs uses 
the information from this data collection in preparing speeches and 
testimony for NSF executives. The information is also used in NSF's 
Annual Report and in various publications prepared by NSF's Division of 
Science Resources Statistics.
    Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2000.
    Burden on the Public: NSF will add questions averaging 15 minutes 
of survey time to 2000 interviews to be conducted as part of the survey 
of Consumer Attitudes. This computes to 500 public burden hours in 
2004.
    Frequency of Responses: NSF collects data on public attitudes and 
understanding occasionally, at approximately two to three year 
intervals.
    Comments: Written comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Agency, including whether the information shall 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on 
respondents, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology; 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.

    Dated: November 6, 2003.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 03-28392 Filed 11-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M