Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; Survey of Doctorate Recipients, 8384-8385 [2021-02447]

Download as PDF 8384 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 23 / Friday, February 5, 2021 / Notices Dated: February 2, 2021. Dawn D. Wolfgang, NCUA PRA Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2021–02450 Filed 2–4–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7535–01–P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; Survey of Doctorate Recipients National Science Foundation. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to renew this collection. In accordance with the requirements 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 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of this collection for no longer than 3 years. DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by April 6, 2021 to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to the address below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite W18200, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (703) 292–7556; or send email 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, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (including Federal holidays). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title of Collection: 2021 Survey of Doctorate Recipients. OMB Control Number: 3145–0020. Expiration Date of Current Approval: August 31, 2022. Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an information collection for three years. Abstract: Established within the NSF by the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 § 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 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:53 Feb 04, 2021 Jkt 253001 practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and the public. NCSES is the primary sponsor of the Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR); the National Institutes of Health (NIH) serves as a co-sponsor. The SDR has been conducted biennially since 1973 and is a longitudinal survey. The 2021 SDR will consist of a sample of individuals under 76 years of age who have earned a research doctoral degree in a science, engineering, or health (SEH) field from a U.S. academic institution. The purpose of this panel survey is to collect data to provide national estimates on the doctoral science and engineering workforce and changes in their employment, education, and demographic characteristics. NCSES uses these data to prepare essential congressionally mandated reports (explained below). Government agencies and academic researchers use SDR data and publications to make planning decisions regarding science and engineering research, training, and employment opportunities. Employers also use the SDR to understand trends in employment sectors, industry types, and salary. Students who want to learn about the relationship between graduate education and careers often obtain valuable information from the SDR. Data and publications from the SDR are available to the public on the NCSES website: https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/ srvydoctoratework/. The SDR will collect data by web survey, mail questionnaire, and computer-assisted telephone interviews beginning in July 2021. 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. NCSES will ensure that all information collected will be kept strictly confidential and will be used only for statistical purposes. Use of the Information: NCSES uses the information from the SDR to prepare two congressionally mandated reports: Women, Minorities, and Persons With Disabilities in Science and Engineering and Science and Engineering Indicators. NCSES publishes statistics from the SDR in many reports, but primarily in the biennial series, Characteristics of Scientists and Engineers with U.S. Doctorates. As with prior SDR data collections, a cross-sectional public release file of collected data, designed to protect respondent confidentiality, will be made available to researchers on the NCSES website: https:// ncsesdata.nsf.gov/datadownload/. Expected Respondents: The U.S. Office of Management and Budget PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (OMB) previously directed that NCSES enhance and expand the sample to measure employment outcomes by the fine field of degree taxonomy used in the Survey of Earned Doctorates. NCSES initiated this change in the 2015 cycle and maintained it in each subsequent cycle. For the 2021 SDR, a statistical sample of approximately 131,000 individuals with U.S. earned doctorates in science, engineering, or health will be contacted. As with prior SDR data collection cycles, the sample consists of all eligible cases from the previous cycle (116,000), as well as a sample of 10,000 new doctoral graduates. In addition, the sample includes 5,000 cases that will be part of a non-production bridge panel designed to quantify the potential impact of question wording modifications on key survey estimates. For 2021, the new graduate sample received their doctorate between July 2017 and June 2019. Across the full sample, approximately 116,760 individuals will reside in the U.S. and 14,240 will reside abroad. Estimate of Burden: NCSES expects the overall 2021 SDR response rate to be approximately 70 percent. The amount of time to complete the questionnaire may vary depending on an individual’s circumstances; however, based on 2019 SDR completion times, NCSES estimates an average completion time of approximately 21 minutes. NCSES estimates that the average annual burden for the 2021 survey cycle over the course of the three-year OMB clearance period will be no more than 10,699 hours [(131,000 individuals × 70% response × 21 minutes)/3 years/60 minutes]. Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of NCSES, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of NCSES’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, use, and clarity of the information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (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. E:\FR\FM\05FEN1.SGM 05FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 23 / Friday, February 5, 2021 / Notices Dated: February 2, 2021. Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation. [FR Doc. 2021–02447 Filed 2–4–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; Survey of Earned Doctorates National Science Foundation. Submission for OMB review; comment request. AGENCY: ACTION: 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. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register, and one comment was received. NSF is forwarding the proposed submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this second notice. DATES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ PRAmain. Find this particular information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314, or send email 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, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (including federal holidays). Copies of the submission may be obtained by calling 703–292–7556. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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. Title of Collection: Survey of Earned Doctorates. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:53 Feb 04, 2021 Jkt 253001 OMB Control Number: 3145–0019. Summary of Collection: The SED has been conducted annually since 1958 and is jointly sponsored by four Federal agencies (NSF/NCSES, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Education/National Center for Education Statistics, and National Endowment for the Humanities) to avoid duplication of effort in collecting such data. The authority to collect information for the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) is established under the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended, Public Law 507 (42 U.S.C. 1862), Section 3(a) (6), which directs the NSF ‘‘. . . 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 formation by other agencies of the federal government.’’ This request to extend the information collection for three years is to cover the 2022 and 2023 SED survey cycles. Data are obtained primarily via Web survey from each person earning a research doctorate at the time they receive the degree. Graduate schools help distribute the SED to their graduating doctorate recipients. The survey will be collected in conformance with the NSF Act of 1950, as amended, and the Privacy Act of 1974. Responses from individuals are voluntary. NCSES 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. Use of the Information: NCSES, as the lead agency, publishes statistics from the survey in several reports, but primarily in the annual publication series reporting on all fields of study, titled Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities. Information from the SED is also used to prepare congressionally mandated reports such as Science and Engineering Indicators and Women, Minorities and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering. Expected Respondents: The SED is a census of all individuals receiving a research doctorate from an accredited U.S. academic institution in an academic year (AY) beginning 1 July and ending 30 June of the following year. Based on the historical trend, NCSES expects that approximately 57,000 individuals will receive a research doctorate from U.S. institutions in AY2022, and approximately 58,000 in AY2023. NCSES estimates the response rate will be 92 percent for both the 2022 and 2023 SED survey cycles. PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8385 In addition to the survey completion of individuals receiving their research doctorates, the SED requires the collection of administrative data such as graduation lists from approximately 600 Institutional Coordinators at the participating institutions who help to distribute the Web survey link, track survey completions, and submit information to the SED survey contractor. Estimate of Burden: Based on an average Web survey completion time of 20 minutes, the respondent burden for completing the SED is estimated at 17,480 hours in 2022 (57,000 doctorate recipients × 92% response × 20 minutes) and 17,787 hours in 2023 (58,000 doctorate recipients x 92% response x 20 minutes). With about 600 schools expected to participate in the 2022 and 2023 SED, the estimated burden to Institutional Coordinators is 12,000 hours for each survey cycle. Therefore, the total burden for the SED is estimated to be 29,480 (17,480 + 12,000) hours in the 2022 survey cycle and 29,787 (17,787 + 12,000) hours in the 2023 survey cycle. NCSES estimates that the average annual burden for the 2022 and 2023 survey cycles over the course of the three-year OMB clearance period will be no more than 19,756 hours [(29,480 hours + 29,787 hours)/3 years]. Comment: As required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), comments on the information collection activities were solicited through publication of a 60-day notice in the Federal Register on 14 October 2020 at 85 FR 65078. NCSES received one public comment from the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology advocating for the collection of information on the participation of sexual and gender minorities in doctoral education. NCSES informed the commenter that it shares their interest in improving federal data collections and providing reliable measures for important segments of the population. NCSES also informed the commenter that it is conducting research to evaluate these measures with the goal that this research, in combination with on-going sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) survey content research being conducted by other federal agencies, will enable the development of standard guidance for collecting SOGI data in the near future. 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 burden of the proposed E:\FR\FM\05FEN1.SGM 05FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 23 (Friday, February 5, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8384-8385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-02447]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; Survey 
of Doctorate Recipients

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
renew this collection. In accordance with the requirements 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 Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of this collection for no longer 
than 3 years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by April 6, 
2021 to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to the 
address below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 
W18200, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; 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: 2021 Survey of Doctorate Recipients.
    OMB Control Number: 3145-0020.
    Expiration Date of Current Approval: August 31, 2022.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an information 
collection for three years.
    Abstract: Established within the NSF 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.
    NCSES is the primary sponsor of the Survey of Doctorate Recipients 
(SDR); the National Institutes of Health (NIH) serves as a co-sponsor. 
The SDR has been conducted biennially since 1973 and is a longitudinal 
survey. The 2021 SDR will consist of a sample of individuals under 76 
years of age who have earned a research doctoral degree in a science, 
engineering, or health (SEH) field from a U.S. academic institution. 
The purpose of this panel survey is to collect data to provide national 
estimates on the doctoral science and engineering workforce and changes 
in their employment, education, and demographic characteristics. NCSES 
uses these data to prepare essential congressionally mandated reports 
(explained below). Government agencies and academic researchers use SDR 
data and publications to make planning decisions regarding science and 
engineering research, training, and employment opportunities. Employers 
also use the SDR to understand trends in employment sectors, industry 
types, and salary. Students who want to learn about the relationship 
between graduate education and careers often obtain valuable 
information from the SDR. Data and publications from the SDR are 
available to the public on the NCSES website: https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctoratework/.
    The SDR will collect data by web survey, mail questionnaire, and 
computer-assisted telephone interviews beginning in July 2021. 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. NCSES will ensure 
that all information collected will be kept strictly confidential and 
will be used only for statistical purposes.
    Use of the Information: NCSES uses the information from the SDR to 
prepare two congressionally mandated reports: Women, Minorities, and 
Persons With Disabilities in Science and Engineering and Science and 
Engineering Indicators. NCSES publishes statistics from the SDR in many 
reports, but primarily in the biennial series, Characteristics of 
Scientists and Engineers with U.S. Doctorates. As with prior SDR data 
collections, a cross-sectional public release file of collected data, 
designed to protect respondent confidentiality, will be made available 
to researchers on the NCSES website: https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/datadownload/.
    Expected Respondents: The U.S. Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) previously directed that NCSES enhance and expand the sample to 
measure employment outcomes by the fine field of degree taxonomy used 
in the Survey of Earned Doctorates. NCSES initiated this change in the 
2015 cycle and maintained it in each subsequent cycle. For the 2021 
SDR, a statistical sample of approximately 131,000 individuals with 
U.S. earned doctorates in science, engineering, or health will be 
contacted. As with prior SDR data collection cycles, the sample 
consists of all eligible cases from the previous cycle (116,000), as 
well as a sample of 10,000 new doctoral graduates. In addition, the 
sample includes 5,000 cases that will be part of a non-production 
bridge panel designed to quantify the potential impact of question 
wording modifications on key survey estimates. For 2021, the new 
graduate sample received their doctorate between July 2017 and June 
2019. Across the full sample, approximately 116,760 individuals will 
reside in the U.S. and 14,240 will reside abroad.
    Estimate of Burden: NCSES expects the overall 2021 SDR response 
rate to be approximately 70 percent. The amount of time to complete the 
questionnaire may vary depending on an individual's circumstances; 
however, based on 2019 SDR completion times, NCSES estimates an average 
completion time of approximately 21 minutes. NCSES estimates that the 
average annual burden for the 2021 survey cycle over the course of the 
three-year OMB clearance period will be no more than 10,699 hours 
[(131,000 individuals x 70% response x 21 minutes)/3 years/60 minutes].
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of NCSES, including whether the information shall have 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of NCSES's estimate of the burden 
of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the 
quality, use, and clarity of the information on respondents, including 
through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology; and (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.


[[Page 8385]]


    Dated: February 2, 2021.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2021-02447 Filed 2-4-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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