Notice2025-09820
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) Generic Clearance for Improvement Projects
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
May 30, 2025
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 the opportunity for public comment(s) on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment(s), 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 90 Issue 103 (Friday, May 30, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 103 (Friday, May 30, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23070-23071]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-09820]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request;
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) Generic
Clearance for Improvement Projects
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 the opportunity for
public comment(s) on this action. After obtaining and considering
public comment(s), 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 July 29,
2025 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
E6300, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send
email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1f6c6f7376726f6b705f716c7931787069"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fc8f8c9095918c8893bc928f9ad29b938a">[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 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Collection: NCSES Generic Clearance for Improvement
Projects.
OMB Control Number: 3145-0174.
Expiration Date of Current Approval: August 31, 2025.
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 procures and disseminates
nationally representative data for these purposes. The Generic
Clearance will be used to ensure that NCSES obtains the highest quality
data from data procurement, collection, and modernizations efforts to
measure and understand the nation's science and engineering enterprise.
State of the art methodology will be used to develop, evaluate, and
test collection instruments, concepts and constructs, and data
modernization efforts 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 also will
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 acquisition and 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, data procurement, 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.
[[Page 23071]]
Expected Respondents. The respondents will be from industry,
academia, nonprofit organizations, members of the public, and State and
local 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 20,400 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, pilot studies, field tests, focus
groups, respondent debriefings, exploratory interviews, key-informant
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 12,200 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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Annualized
Collection Respondents Total burden burden
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R&D Enterprise Surveys.......................................... 800 1,050 300
Science and Engineering Workforce Surveys....................... 6,300 1,725 592
STEM Education Surveys.......................................... 800 1,000 334
Data Dissemination Tools and Methods............................ 2,500 425 142
Other surveys and projects not specified........................ 10,000 8,000 2,667
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Total....................................................... 20,400 12,200 ..............
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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: May 27, 2025.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2025-09820 Filed 5-29-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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