[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 226 (Monday, November 24, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69883-69884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27654]


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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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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 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 those who are to respond, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by January 23, 
2015 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: 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 of Collection: Survey of Earned Doctorates.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0019.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2016.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an information 
collection for three years.
    1. Abstract: Established within the National Science Foundation by 
the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 Sec.  505, codified in 
the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended, the National 
Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) serves as a 
central Federal clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, 
analysis, and dissemination of objective data on science, engineering, 
technology, and research and development for use by practitioners, 
researchers, policymakers, and the public. The Survey of Earned 
Doctorates (SED) is part of an integrated survey system that collects 
data on individuals in an effort to provide information on science and 
engineering education and careers in the United States.
    The SED has been conducted annually since 1958 and is jointly 
sponsored by six Federal agencies (the National Science Foundation, 
National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, National Endowment for the Humanities, and 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration) 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 Web survey or paper questionnaire 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, ``Doctorate Recipients 
from U.S. Universities.'' These reports are available on the NSF Web 
site.
    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% of the 51,008 
persons who earned a research doctorate was obtained in academic year 
2012. This level of response rate has been consistent for several 
years. Based on the historical trend, in 2016 approximately 56,000 
individuals are

[[Page 69884]]

expected to receive research doctorates from U.S. institutions. Using 
the past response rate, the number of respondents in 2016 is estimated 
to be 51,520 (56,000 doctorate recipients x 0.92 response rate). 
Similarly, the number of individuals expected to earn research 
doctorates in 2017 is estimated to be about 57,000; hence, the number 
of respondents in 2017 is estimated to be 52,440 (57,000 x 0.92).
    3. Estimate of Burden: The Foundation estimates that, on average, 
20 minutes per respondent will be required to complete the survey. The 
annual respondent burden for completing the SED is therefore estimated 
at 17,173 hours in 2016 (51,520 respondents x 20 minutes) and 17,480 
hours in 2017 (based on 52,440 respondents).
    In addition to the actual survey, the SED requires the collection 
of administrative data from participating academic institutions. The 
Institutional Coordinator at the institution helps distribute the Web 
survey link (and paper surveys when necessary), track survey 
completions, and submit information to the SED survey contractor. Based 
on focus groups conducted with Institutional Coordinators, it is 
estimated that the SED demands no more than 1% of the Institutional 
Coordinator's time over the course of a year, which computes to 20 
hours per year per Institutional Coordinator (40 hours per week x 50 
weeks per year x .01). With about 570 programs expected to participate 
in the SED in 2016 and 2017, the estimated annual burden to 
Institutional Coordinators of administering the SED is 11,400 hours.
    Therefore, the total annual information burden for the SED is 
estimated to be 28,573 hours in 2016 (17,173 + 11,400) and 28,880 hours 
in 2017 (17,480 + 11,400). This is higher than the last annual estimate 
approved by OMB due to the increased number of respondents (doctorate 
recipients).

    Dated: November 18, 2014.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2014-27654 Filed 11-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P