[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 96 (Friday, May 16, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28533-28534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-10939]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

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 12470, 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

[[Page 28534]]

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 7th 
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 College Graduates.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0141.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2009.
    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 1970s. The 2008 NSCG will consist 
of a sample of individuals under age 76 who had responded to the 2006 
NSCG, and the 2006 National Survey of Recent College Graduates who 
either have at least one bachelor's degree in a science and engineering 
(S&E) field, or have at least a bachelor's degree in a non-S&E field 
but work in an S&E occupation. 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 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 NSCG is designed to comply with these mandates by 
providing information on the supply and utilization of the nation's 
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. A public release file of the SESTAT 
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 October 2008 and 
nonrespondents to the mail questionnaire will be followed up by 
computer-assisted telephone interviewing. 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 68,000 persons, identified as 
having at least one bachelor's degree in a science and engineering 
(S&E) field, or having at least a bachelor's degree in a non-S&E field 
but working in an S&E occupation, will be contacted. The total response 
rate in 2006 was 87%.

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 90% 
response rate, NSF estimates that the total burden for the 2008 NSCG 
will be 25,600 hours.

    Dated: May 12, 2008.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
 [FR Doc. E8-10939 Filed 5-15-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P