[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 242 (Monday, December 19, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75228-75229]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-24213]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent to Extend an Information Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 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. The 
National Science Foundation (NSF) will publish periodic summaries of 
proposed projects.
    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 be 
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by January 31, 
2006 to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address 
below.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: For further information or for 
a copy of the collection instruments and instructions, contact Ms. 
Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science 
Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 
22230; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send 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: Survey of Earned Doctorates.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0019.
    Expriation Date of Approval: June 30, 2006.
    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 (SED) 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. For the 2007 SED, minor changes to questions, based on 
focus group and cognitive testing will be incorporated into the 
questionnaire. Also for 2007, a field test of potential questions about 
salary after graduation will be conducted with less than 9 
institutions. Based on the field test results, the intention is to add 
a salary question in 2008.
    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 dissemination 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.

[[Page 75229]]

    The survey will be collected in conformance with the Privacy Act of 
1974. Responses from individuals are voluntary. NSF will ensure that 
all information collected will be kept strictly confidential and will 
be used for research or statistical purposes, analyzing data, and 
preparing scientific reports and articles.
    2. Expected Respondents: A total response rate of 90.8% of the 
total 42,155 persons who earned a research doctorate was obtained in 
the 2004 SED. This level of response rate has been consistent for 
several years. The respondents will be individuals and the estimated 
number of respondents annually is 38,275 (based on 2004 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 12,121 hours for all respondents (based on the 2004 SED 
numbers). Also, for the approximately 3,000 respondents in the field 
test on a salary question, there would be approximately another 50 
hours of response time. The total respondent burden is therefore 
estimated at 12,171 hours for the 2007 SED. This is slightly higher 
than the last annual estimate approved by OMB due primarily to an 
increased number of respondents since the last clearance request.

    Dated: December 14, 2005.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 05-24213 Filed 12-16-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M