Notice2022-01791
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 28, 2022
Issuing agencies
National Science Foundation
Abstract
The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) within the National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to request renewal of the NCSES Generic Clearance for Improvement Projects (3145-0174). 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, NCSES will prepare the submission requesting that OMB approve clearance of this collection for three years.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 19 (Friday, January 28, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 19 (Friday, January 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4664-4665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-01791]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
AGENCY: National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics,
National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
(NCSES) within the National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing
plans to request renewal of the NCSES Generic Clearance for Improvement
Projects (3145-0174). 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, NCSES will prepare the submission requesting that OMB approve
clearance of this collection for three years.
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by March 29,
2022 to be assured of 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
W18253, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send
email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ddaeadb1b4b0ada9b29db3aebbf3bab2ab"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="384b48545155484c5778564b5e165f574e">[email protected]</span></a>. 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: NCSES Generic Clearance for Improvement
Projects.
OMB Control Number: 3145-0174.
Expiration Date of Current Approval: July 31, 2022.
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 and Engineering Statistics (NCSES)--one of 13
principal federal statistical agencies--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 and statistical 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
[[Page 4665]]
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
engineering 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 Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or other conferencing tools), or over the
phone. Quantitative procedures may be conducted using mail, Web, email,
smartphone app, or telephone modes, depending on the topic under
investigation. Up to 28,515 respondents may 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 and quantitative methods
that may be used include, but are not limited to, the following:
Behavior coding, split panel tests, experimental pilot studies, field
tests, focus groups, respondent debriefings, exploratory interviews,
cognitive interviews, and usability tests. Cognitive interviews and
usability tests may include the use of scenarios, paraphrasing, card
sorts, vignette classifications, rating tasks, or participatory design
methods (e.g., collaborative digital whiteboards). NCSES may conduct
these studies using interviewer-administered or self-administered
methods, including online convenience samples.
Estimate of Burden: NCSES estimates that a total reporting and
recordkeeping burden of 11,500 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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2022-25
Survey or information collection number of 2022-25
respondents number of
---------------------------------------------------------------hours----
Survey of Doctorate Recipients.......... 5,000 1,100
Survey of Earned Doctorates............. 2,500 945
National Training, Education, and 660 400
Workforce Survey.......................
Other surveys of the science and 1,250 550
engineering workforce..................
Higher Education Research & Development 450 350
Survey.................................
Federally Funded Research & Development 80 100
Centers (FFRDC) Survey.................
State Government Research & Development 150 225
Survey.................................
Survey of Nonprofit Research Activities. 200 200
Business Enterprise Research & 50 150
Development Survey.....................
Survey of Scientific & Engineering 300 200
Facilities.............................
Public Perceptions of Science........... 1,100 180
Data dissemination tools and mechanisms. 3,100 800
Projects conducted under the NCSES Broad 3,675 3,300
Agency Announcement (BAA)..............
Other surveys and projects not specified 10,000 3,000
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Total............................... 28,515 11,500
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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.
Dated: January 25, 2022.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2022-01791 Filed 1-27-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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