[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8408-8409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3592]


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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 NSF 
will publish

[[Page 8409]]

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 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.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by April 26, 
2010, to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to the 
address below.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding the information collection and 
requests for copies of the proposed information collection request 
should be addressed to Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, 
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm. 295, Arlington, VA 
22230, or by e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Suzanne Plimpton, the NSF 
Reports Clearance Officer, phone (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, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 
days a year (including federal holidays).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title of Collection: 2010 National Survey of 
College Graduates.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0141.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2011.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information 
collection for three years.

1. Abstract

    The National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG) has been conducted 
biennially since the 1970s. The 2010 NSCG sample will be selected from 
the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS), the 2008 NSCG, and the 2008 
National Survey of Recent College Graduates (NSRCG).
    The purpose of this longitudinal survey is to provide national 
estimates on the science and engineering workforce and changes in their 
employment, education, and demographic characteristics. The NSCG is one 
of three component surveys 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 
2010 NSCG will provide necessary input into the SESTAT.
    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.
    The NSF uses the information from the NSCG 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 Internet.
    The Bureau of the Census, as in the past, will conduct the NSCG for 
NSF. The survey data collection will begin in October 2010 using mail 
and Web questionnaires. Nonrespondents to the mail or web 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 the 
individual's response to the survey is voluntary. NSF will ensure 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 100,000 will be contacted in 
2010. NSF expects the response rate to be 70 to 80 percent.

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. NSF estimates that the 
total annual burden will be no more than 33,333 hours during the 2010 
survey cycle.

    Dated: February 18, 2010.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2010-3592 Filed 2-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P