[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 46 (Friday, March 7, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 12470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-4483]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

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 
the 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 Foundation, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Foundation'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 those who are to respond, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by May 6, 2008, 
to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date will be 
considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 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: 2008 Survey of Doctorate Recipients.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0020.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February, 28, 2009.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to reinstate an 
information collection for three years.

1. Abstract

    The Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR) has been conducted 
biennially since 1973. The 2008 SDR will consist of a sample of 
individuals under the age 76 who have earned a research doctoral degree 
in a science, engineering or health field from an U.S. institution. The 
purpose of this longitudinal panel study is to provide national 
estimates on the doctoral 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 SDR is designed to comply with these mandates by 
providing information on the supply and utilization of the nation's 
doctoral level 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 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. The NSF publishes statistics from the survey in many 
reports, but primarily in the biennial series, Characteristics of 
Doctoral Scientists and Engineers in the United States. A public 
release file of collected data, designed to protect respondent 
confidentiality, also will be made available to researchers on CD-ROM 
and on the World Wide Web. A private contractor is currently being 
selected to conduct this study for NSF. Data will be obtained by mail 
questionnaire, computer-assisted telephone interviews and web survey 
beginning October 2008. The survey will be collected in conformance 
with the Confidential Information and Statistical Efficient Act of 
2002. 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 statistical purposes.

2. Expected Respondents

    A statistical sample of approximately 40,000 individuals with U.S. 
earned doctorates in science, engineering and health will be contacted 
in 2008. The total response rate in 2006 was 79%. NSF is also 
considering sampling 2,000 additional U.S. doctorates that received 
their degrees in the 2001-2007 academic years, who are non U.S. 
citizens, and indicated they planned on leaving the United States after 
they received their doctorate.

3. Estimate of Burden

    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. We estimate that the 
total annual burden will be 16,700 hours during the collection. If the 
additional 2,000 respondents who had plans to leave the United States 
are included in the sample, that will increase the burden an additional 
850 hours to a total of 17,550 hours.

    Dated: March 4, 2008.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
 [FR Doc. E8-4483 Filed 3-6-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P