Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request, 49321 [05-16644]

Agencies

• NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 49321]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16644]


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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, Pub. L. 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 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 Foundation, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Foundation'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 October 24, 
2005, to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address 
below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 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 splimpto@nsf.gov. 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: 2006 National Survey of Recent College 
Graduates.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0077.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2005.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to reinstate an 
information collection for three years.

1. Abstract

    The National Survey of Recent College Graduates (NSRCG) has been 
conducted biennially since 1974. The 2006 NSRCG will consist of a 
sample of individuals who have completed bachelor's and master's 
degrees in science and engineering from U.S. institutions. The purpose 
of this study is to provide national estimates on the new entrants in 
the science and engineering workforce and to provide estimates on the 
characteristics of recent bachelor's and master's graduates with 
science and engineering degrees. The study is one of three components 
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 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 NSRCG is designed to comply with these mandates by 
providing information on the supply and utilization of the nation's 
recent bachelor's and master's level scientist and engineers. Collected 
data will be used to produce estimates of the characteristics of these 
individuals. They will also provide necessary input into the SESTAT 
data system, which produces national estimates of the size and 
characteristics of the country's science and engineering population. 
The Foundation uses this information to prepare congressionally 
mandated reports such as Women, Minorities and Persons with 
Disabilities in Science and Engineering and Science and Engineering 
Indicators. NSF publishes statistics from the survey in many reports, 
but primarily in the biennial series, Characteristics of Recent Science 
and Engineering Graduates in the United States. A public release file 
of collected data, designed to protect respondent confidentiality, also 
is expected to be made available to researchers on CD-ROM and on the 
World Wide Web.
    The U.S. Census Bureau will conduct the study for NSF. Data are 
obtained by mail questionnaire, computer assisted telephone interviews 
and/or web survey beginning April 2006. The survey will be collected in 
conformance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and the individual's response 
to the survey is voluntary. NSF will insure that all information 
collected will be kept strictly confidential and will be used only for 
research or statistical purposes, analyzing data, and preparing 
scientific reports and articles.

2. Expected Respondents

    A statistical sample of approximately 27,000 bachelor's and 
master's degree recipients in science, engineering, and health will be 
contacted in 2006. The total response rate in 2003 was 66%.

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. We estimate that the 
total annual burden will be 11,250 hours during the year.

    Dated: August 17, 2005.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 05-16644 Filed 8-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M