[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 96 (Friday, May 16, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28532-28533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-10938]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

[[Page 28533]]


ACTION: Submission for OMB review; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the 
following information collection requirement to OMB for review and 
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13. 
This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published 
in the Federal Register at 73 FR 12471, and no substantial comments 
were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with 
the publication of this second notice. Comments regarding (a) Whether 
the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance 
of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information 
to be collected; (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 should 
be addressed to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, 
Attention: Desk Officer for National Science Foundation, 725 17th 
Street, NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, and to Suzanne H. 
Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 
Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send e-mail 
to [email protected]. Comments regarding these information collections 
are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days 
of this notification. Copies of the submission may be obtained by 
calling 703-292-7556.
    NSF may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless 
the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to 
the collection of information that such persons are not required to 
respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid OMB control number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: 2008 National Survey of Recent College 
Graduates.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0077.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an information 
collection for three years.

1. Abstract

    The National Survey of Recent College Graduates (NSRCG) has been 
conducted biennially since 1974. The 2008 NSRCG will consist of a 
sample of individuals who have recently completed bachelor's and 
master's degrees in science, engineering and health from U.S. 
institutions. The purpose of this study is to provide national 
estimates on the new entrants in the science and engineering workforce 
and to provide estimates on the characteristics of recent bachelor's 
and master's graduates with science, engineering, and health degrees. 
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 
workforce.
    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 NSRCG is designed to comply with these mandates by 
providing information on the supply and utilization of the nation's 
recent bachelor's and master's 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 labor force data system, which produces national estimates of 
the size and characteristics of the country's science and engineering 
personnel. 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. NSF publishes statistics from the survey in 
many reports, but primarily in the biennial series, Characteristics of 
Recent Science and Engineering Graduates in the United States. 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.
    Mathematica Policy Research will conduct the study under contract 
for NSF. Data are obtained by mail questionnaire, computer assisted 
telephone interview and web survey beginning October 2008. The survey 
will be collected in conformance with the Confidential Information 
Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 and Privacy Act of 
1974. 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.

2. Expected Respondents

    A statistical sample of approximately 18,000 bachelor's and 
master's degree recipients in science, engineering, and health from the 
academic years 2006 and 2007 will be contacted in 2008. The total 
response rate in 2006 was 67%.

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. Assuming a 80% 
response rate, NSF estimates that the total burden for the 2008 NSRCG 
will be 6,100 hours.

    Dated: May 12, 2008.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
 [FR Doc. E8-10938 Filed 5-15-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P