[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 123 (Wednesday, June 26, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38410-38411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15217]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Establish an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request approval of this collection. In accordance with the requirement 
of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are 
providing opportunity for public comment on this action. After 
obtaining and considering public comment, NSF will prepare the 
submission requesting OMB clearance of this collection for no longer 
than 3 years.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the 
burden or any other aspect of this collection of information 
requirements by August 26, 2013.

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. 1265, Arlington, VA 
22230, or by email to [email protected].
    Comments: Written 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 on 
respondents, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology; or (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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 
1265, Arlington, Virginia 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: Experimentation with Factual Knowledge of Science Survey 
Items.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date: Not applicable.
    Overview of this information collection: The National Science 
Foundation Act of 1950 as amended (42 U.S.C. 1862) authorizes the 
National Science foundation to ``initiate and support basic scientific 
research and programs to strengthen scientific research potential and 
science education programs in the mathematical, physical, medical, 
biological, social, and other sciences.'' The America COMPETES

[[Page 38411]]

Reauthorization Act of 2010 Sec.  505, codified in the National Science 
Foundation Act of 1950, as amended, established the National Center for 
Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) within the National Science 
Foundation. NCSES supports surveys that measure the level of basic 
factual knowledge of science among the American public and prepares 
information on this topic for dissemination in Science and Engineering 
Indicators, a biennial publication of the National Science Board (NSB), 
NSF's governing body. Survey questions cover topics in biology, 
chemistry, physics, astronomy, and other sciences. NCSES is proposing 
to conduct a series of survey-based experiments in which question 
wording and content are systematically varied in order to test the 
sensitivity of survey measures of factual knowledge of biological 
evolution and the origins of the universe to variations in question 
design. These experiments will be conducted via an Internet survey. 
Data from these experiments may be used in Science and Engineering 
Indicators to address the effects of question design on survey 
estimates of public science knowledge and the relationship between 
understanding and acceptance of scientific conclusions. Results from 
this research may also be reported in scholarly research publications.
    Expected Respondents: Approximately 3,500 U.S. adults (persons aged 
18+) will be responding to the survey.
    Estimate of Burden: The Foundation estimates that, on average, 15 
minutes per respondent will be required to complete the survey. The 
annual respondent burden for completing the survey is therefore 
estimated at 875 hours, based on 3,500 respondents.

    Dated: June 20, 2013.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2013-15217 Filed 6-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P