International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge (SciVis) Survey
CIRCUMSTANCES MAKING COLLECTION OF INFORMATION NECESSARY
On September 11, 1993, President Clinton issued Executive Order 12862, “Setting Customer Service Standards,” which clearly defined his vision that the Federal agencies will put the public first. To accomplish this, President Clinton called for a “revolution within the Federal government to change the way it does business.” He expected this process to require continual reform of government practices and operations to the end that, “when dealing with the Federal agencies, all people receive service that matches or exceeds the best service available in the private sector.”
Section 1(b) of this E.O. requires agencies to “survey customers to determine the kind and quality of services they want and their level of satisfaction with existing services” and Section 1(a) requires agencies to “survey front- line employees on barriers to, and ideas for, matching the best in business.” These Presidential requirements established an ongoing need for the National Science Foundation (NSF) to engage in an interactive process of collecting information and using it to improve program services and processes.
The Office of Legislative and Public Affairs (OLPA), within NSF, and AAA’s journal Science have co-sponsored an annual science and engineering visualization competition, the International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge, which invites participants from across the globe to communicate research results and scientific phenomena visually.
As we begin the seventh year of the International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge (SciVis), we want to reach out to both active and potential participants to hear their thoughts and suggestions. Our goal is to increase participation and broaden the professional and geographic range from which entries are submitted. The survey will take about 5 to 10 minutes to complete and will cover topics such as:
perceptions / evaluations of the Challenge
what has been gained from participating
any recommendations for making the Challenge more relevant or of greater interest to future entrants
The survey will be conducted using Constant Contact (www.constantcontact.com/survey), a company/service that NSF contractor, Crabtree + Company (C+C) has used successfully for numerous clients (including NSF) for four years.
It will be distributed to 2,660 email addresses in the SciVis database. This database was created with NSF’s contacts and for the past three years it has been augmented based on C+C’s research and connections within the science and engineering communities. The survey will be sent from: [email protected], the email address that is used for all SciVis email-based promotion and fulfillment communications.
Crabtree + Company staff will select a template, write the questions, select a format for each answer, test the survey, then send out an eblast from which the recipients can hyperlink to the survey questions. After clicking on the hyperlink, participants are connected to the survey webpage, where they are prompted to answer a series of questions (attached). Survey answers and results are automatically compiled, and they can be reviewed at any time by logging into Constant Contact. Upon completion of the survey, results will be submitted to NSF.
HOW, BY WHOM, AND PURPOSE FOR WHICH INFORMATION IS TO BE USED
This information will be compiled by C+C and submitted to the National Science Foundation for review to determine ways to both increase participation and broaden the professional and geographic range from which entries are submitted.
USE OF AUTOMATION
The survey will be distributed via email from which the recipients can hyperlink to the survey questions. After clicking on the hyperlink, participants are connected to the survey webpage, where they are prompted to answer a series of questions. Survey answers and results are automatically compiled, and they can be reviewed at any time by logging into Constant Contact.
EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY DUPLICATION
The survey pertains to a unique program co-sponsored by the National Science Foundation and AAA’s journal Science.
SMALL BUSINESS CONSIDERATIONS
Not applicable.
CONSEQUENCES OF LESS FREQUENT COLLECTION
Not applicable.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES FOR COLLECTION
Not applicable.
FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE.
The agency’s notices, as required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), were published in the Federal Register on January 22, 2008, at 73 FR 3756 and March 29, 2008 at 73 FR 16725 and no comments were received.
OUTSIDE CONSULTATION
NSF contracted with Crabtree + Company, who contracted with Constant Contact.
GIFTS OR REMUNERATION
Not applicable.
CONFIDENTIALITY PROVIDED TO RESPONDENTS
There will be a statement to assure respondents that their answers will be kept confidential.
QUESTIONS OF A SENSITIVE NATURE
No questions of a sensitive nature will be asked.
ESTIMATE OF BURDEN
The survey will be sent to 2,660 respondents which will take each respondent 5 to 10 minutes to complete (443 hours estimated).
ANNUALIZED COST TO RESPONDENTS
Due to the variance of the potential respondents to this survey, it is not possible to estimate burden costs for respondents.
CAPITAL/STARTUP COSTS
Not applicable.
ANNUALIZED COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
NSF contractor, Crabtree + Company will write, program, and distribute an electronic survey to everyone in the SciVis database (approximately 2,660 email addresses). They will compile responses and submit a summary report with recommendations to NSF. The total cost is $5,500.
CHANGES IN BURDEN
Not applicable.
PUBLICATION OF COLLECTION
Not applicable.
SEEKING APPROVAL TO NOT DISPLAY OMB EXPIRATION DATE
Not applicable.
EXCEPTION(S) TO THE CERTIFICATION STATEMENT (19) ON OMB 83-I
There are no exceptions.
STATISTICAL METHODS
Not applicable.
Attachments
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | SUPPORTING STATEMENT |
| Author | JFELDMAN |
| Last Modified By | nsfuser |
| File Modified | 2009-04-08 |
| File Created | 2009-04-08 |