[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 16, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7833-7834]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03029]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to
request renewal of the Generic Clearance of the National Center for
Science & Engineering Statistics Survey Improvement Projects (3145-
0174). In accordance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), we are providing
opportunity for public comment on this action. After obtaining and
considering public comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting
that OMB approve clearance of this collection for three years.
Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the NSF, including whether the information shall have
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the NSF'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.
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by April 18,
2016 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable.
For Additional Information or Comments: Contact Suzanne H.
Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201
Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, 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). You also may obtain a copy of the data collection instrument
and instructions from Ms. Plimpton.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Collection: Generic Clearance of the National Center for
Science & Engineering Statistics Improvement Projects.
OMB Control Number: 3145-0174.
Expiration Date of Current Approval: May 31, 2016.
[[Page 7834]]
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an information
collection for three years.
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 & Engineering Statistics (NCSES) serves as a central
Federal clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, analysis, and
dissemination of objective data on science, engineering, technology,
research and development for use by practitioners, researchers,
policymakers, and the public. NCSES conducts about a dozen nationally
representative surveys to obtain the data for these purposes. The
Generic Clearance will be used to ensure that the highest quality data
are obtained from these surveys. State of the art methodology will be
used to develop, evaluate, and test questionnaires and survey concepts
as well as to improve survey methodology. This may include field or
pilot tests of questions for future large scale surveys, as needed. The
Generic Clearance will also be used to test and evaluate data
dissemination tools and methods, in an effort to improve access for
data users.
Use of the Information. The purpose of these studies is to use the
latest and most appropriate methodology to improve NCSES surveys,
evaluate new data collection efforts, and evaluate data dissemination
tools and mechanisms. Methodological findings may be presented
externally in technical papers at conferences, published in the
proceedings of conferences, or in journals. Improved NCSES surveys,
data collections, and data dissemination will help policymakers in
decisions on research and development funding, graduate education, and
the scientific and technical workforce, as well as contributing to
reduced survey costs.
Expected Respondents. The respondents will be from industry,
academia, nonprofit organizations, members of the public, and State,
local, and Federal governments. Respondents will be either individuals
or institutions, depending on the topic under investigation.
Qualitative procedures will generally be conducted in person, online
(using Skype, Webex, or other conferencing tools), or over the phone.
Quantitative procedures may be conducted using mail, Web, email, or
phone modes, depending on the topic under investigation. Up to 8,680
respondents will be contacted across all projects. No respondent will
be contacted more than twice in one year under this generic clearance.
Every effort will be made to use technology to limit the burden on
respondents from small entities.
Both qualitative and quantitative methods will be used to improve
NCSES's current data collection instruments and processes and to reduce
respondent burden, as well as to develop new surveys and new or
improved data dissemination tools. Qualitative methods include, but are
not limited to expert review; exploratory, cognitive, and usability
interviews; focus groups; and respondent debriefings. Cognitive and
usability interviews may include the use of scenarios, paraphrasing,
card sorts, vignette classifications, and rating tasks. Quantitative
methods include, but are not limited to, telephone surveys; behavior
coding, split panel tests, and field tests.
Estimate of Burden. NCSES estimates that a total reporting and
recordkeeping burden of 11,180 hours will result from activities to
improve its surveys. The calculation is shown in Table 1.
Table 1--Potential Surveys for Improvement Projects, With the Number of
Respondents and Burden Hours
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Number of Number of
respondents hours
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Graduate Student Survey................. 2000 2500
SESTAT Surveys (National Survey of 1000 500
College Graduates; Survey of Doctorate
Recipients)............................
Early Career Doctorate Survey........... 500 1000
Survey of Earned Doctorates............. 600 600
Higher Education Research & Development 300 540
Survey.................................
State Government Research & Development 150 300
Survey.................................
Survey of Nonprofit Research Activities. 230 415
Business Research & Development and 50 150
Innovation Survey......................
Microbusiness Survey.................... 250 500
Survey of Scientific & Engineering 400 400
Facilities.............................
Innovation Survey....................... 1500 3000
Public Understanding of Science & 550 125
Engineering Survey.....................
Data dissemination tools and mechanisms. 150 150
Other surveys and projects not specified 1000 1000
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Total............................... 8,680 11,180
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Dated: February 3, 2016.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2016-03029 Filed 2-12-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P