[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 106 (Friday, June 1, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32700-32701]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-13248]


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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 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 NSF, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the NSF'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, 
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 collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by July 31, 
2012 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to the 
address below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports 
Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, 
Suite 295, Arlington, VA 22230; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send email 
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: 2013 National Survey of 
College Graduates.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0141.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2013.

[[Page 32701]]

    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to reinstate an 
information collection for three years.

1. Abstract

    The National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG) has been conducted 
biennially since the 1970s. The 2013 NSCG sample will be selected from 
the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS), the 2010 NSCG, and the 2010 
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 the 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 
2013 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 the Internet.
    The U.S. Census Bureau, as in the past, will conduct the NSCG for 
NSF. The survey data collection will begin in February 2013 using Web 
and mail questionnaires. Nonrespondents to the Web or 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 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 145,000 will be contacted in 
2013. 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 48,333 hours during the 2013 
survey cycle.

    Dated: May 25, 2012.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2012-13248 Filed 5-31-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P