Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request, 29367-29368 [2010-12528]

Agencies

• NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 25, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29367-29368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-12528]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB review; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the 
following information collection requirement to OMB for review and 
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. 
This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published 
in the Federal Register at 75 FR 8408, and no substantial comments were 
received. NSF is forwarding the proposed revised submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with 
the publication of this second notice. Comments regarding (a) whether 
the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance 
of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information 
to be collected; (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 should 
be addressed to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, 
Attention: Desk Officer for National Science Foundation, 725 7th 
Street, NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, and to Suzanne H. 
Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 
Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send e-mail 
to splimpto@nsf.gov. Comments regarding these information collections 
are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days 
of this notification. Copies of the submission may be obtained by 
calling 703-292-7556. NSF may not conduct or sponsor a collection of 
information unless the collection of information displays a currently 
valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who 
are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are 
not required to respond to the collection of information unless it 
displays a currently valid OMB control number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title of Collection: 2010 National Survey of College Graduates.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0141.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to revise an information 
collection for three years.

1. Abstract

    The National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG), formerly called 
the

[[Page 29368]]

National Survey of Natural and Social Scientists and Engineers, has 
been conducted biennially since the 1970s. The 2010 NSCG will consist 
of the respondents to 2009 American Community Survey (ACS), the 2008 
NSCG, and the 2008 National Survey of Recent College Graduates (NSRCG). 
The purpose of this longitudinal study is to provide national estimates 
on the science and engineering workforce and changes in employment, 
education and demographic characteristics. 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 workforce.
    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. Collected data will be used to produce 
estimates of the characteristics of these individuals. They will also 
provide necessary input into the SESTAT labor force data system, which 
produces national estimates of the size and characteristics of the 
country's science and engineering personnel. 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. A public release file of the NSCG 
collected data, designed to protect respondent confidentiality, will be 
made available to researchers on CD-ROM and on the World Wide Web.
    The Bureau of the Census, as in the past, will conduct the study 
for NSF. Data are obtained by mail questionnaire, computer assisted 
telephone interview and Web survey beginning October 2010. The survey 
will be collected in conformance with the Confidential Information 
Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002, Privacy Act of 1974, 
and Title 13, United States Code, Section 9. 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.

2. Expected Respondents

    A statistical sample of approximately 100,000 persons will be 
contacted. The total response rate in 2010 is expected to be 70 to 80 
percent.

3. Burden on the Public

    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 burden for the 2010 NSCG will be no more than 33,333 hours.

    Dated: May 20, 2010.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2010-12528 Filed 5-24-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P