[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 237 (Friday, December 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77008-77009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31008]


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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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[[Page 77009]]

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 February 8, 
2011 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.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2012.
    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 has been conducted annually since 
1958 and is jointly sponsored by six Federal agencies in order to avoid 
duplication. It is an accurate, timely source of information on one of 
our Nation's most important resources--highly educated individuals. 
Data are obtained via paper questionnaire or Web survey 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.
    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 several reports, 
but primarily in the annual publication series, ``Science and 
Engineering Doctorates'' and the Interagency Report ``Doctorate 
Recipients from U.S. Universities.'' These reports are available in 
print and electronically on the World Wide Web.
    The survey will be collected in conformance with the Privacy Act of 
1974. Responses from individuals are voluntary. NSF will ensure that 
all individually identifiable 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 92.3% of the 
49,562 persons who earned a research doctorate was obtained in academic 
year 2008/2009. This level of response rate has been consistent for 
several years. The respondents will be individuals and the estimated 
number of respondents annually is around 46,000 (based on 2009 data).
    3. Estimate of Burden: In 2012, approximately 51,000 individuals 
are expected to receive research doctorates from United States 
institutions. The Foundation estimates that, on average, 20 minutes per 
respondent will be required to complete the survey. The annual 
respondent burden for completing the Survey of Earned Doctorates is 
therefore estimated at 17,000 hours, based on 51,000 respondents.
    Additional time is needed to complete the Missing Information 
Letter (MIL), which is sent to any survey respondent who did not 
provide data on any of eight ``critical items'' (year of Master's, year 
of Bachelor's, postgraduation location (state or country), birth date, 
citizenship status, race, ethnicity, and gender) on their original 
response. Most MILs address fewer than eight missing items. Based on 
past results, the average respondent is expected to spend two minutes 
completing the MIL. The SED receives an average of 2,000 completed MILs 
each survey round, for an annual MIL completion burden estimate of 67 
hours.
    In addition to the actual survey, the SED also requires the 
collection of administrative data from participating institutions. The 
Institutional Contact at the institution helps distribute the survey, 
track it, collect it and submit the completed questionnaires to the SED 
survey contractor. Based on focus groups conducted with Institutional 
Contacts, it is estimated that the SED demands no more than 1% of the 
Institutional Contact's time over the course of a year, which computes 
to 20 hours per year per individual contact (40 hours per week x 50 
weeks per year x .01). With 530 programs participating in the SED, the 
estimated annual burden to Institutional Contacts of administering the 
SED is 10,600 hours.
    Therefore, the total annual information burden for the SED is 
estimated to be 27,667 hours. This is higher than the last annual 
estimate approved by OMB due to the increased number of respondents 
(doctorate recipients).

    Dated: December 6, 2010.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2010-31008 Filed 12-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P