Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request, 12470-12471 [E8-4484]

Agencies

• NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 46 (Friday, March 7, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12470-12471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-4484]


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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

[[Page 12471]]

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 May 6, 2008 
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: 2008 National Survey of 
Recent College Graduates.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0077.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2009.
    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 2008 NSRCG will consist of a 
sample of individuals who have completed bachelor's and master's 
degrees in science, engineering and health from U.S. institutions 
during the academic years 2006 and 2007. The purpose of this study is 
to provide national estimates on the new entrants into the science and 
engineering workforce and to provide estimates on the characteristics 
of recent bachelor's and master's graduates with science, engineering 
and health 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 scientists 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.
    Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. will conduct the study for NSF. 
Data will be obtained by mail questionnaire, computer-assisted 
telephone interviews and web survey beginning in October 2008. 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 insure 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 18,000 bachelor's and 
master's degree recipients in science, engineering, and health will be 
contacted in 2008. The total response rate in 2006 was 69%.

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 7,500 hours during the 2008 survey cycle.

    Dated: March 4, 2008.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. E8-4484 Filed 3-6-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P