[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49321-49322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16645]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

[[Page 49322]]


ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 or other Federal agencies to comment on 
this proposed continuing information collection.

DATES: Written comments (see below for details) on this notice must be 
received by October 24, 2005, to be assured of consideration. Comments 
received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. 
Send comments to the address below.
    Comments: 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 to 
respondents, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology; and (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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports 
Clearance Officer, via surface mail: National Science Foundation, ATTN: 
NSF Reports Clearance Officer, Suite 295, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, 
Arlington, VA 22230; telephone (703) 292-7556; e-mail [email protected]; 
or FAX (703) 292-9188. 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 throught Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: 2006 National Survey of College Graduates.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0141.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2006.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an information 
collection for three years.
    1. 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 1970's. the 2006 
NSCG will consist of a sample of individuals under age 76 who had 
responded to the 2003 NSCG and were identified as having a degree in 
science, engineering or health field at the bachelor's degree level or 
higher. 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, include 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 
scientist 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 April 2006 and nonrespondents 
to the mail questionnaire will be followed up by computer-assisted 
telephone interviewing and/or web survey. 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 
60,000 persons, identified as having at least one degree at the 
bachelor's degree level or higher in science, engineering, or health, 
will be contacted.
    3. 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 25,000 
hours during the year.

    Dated: August 17, 2005.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 05-16645 Filed 8-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M