In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years. The approved collection marks a substantial transition for the NSCG with the redesign to draw on the American Community Survey for its sample in place of the decennial census. Before or in resubmission to OMB, the agency will include an update on the transition process. In addition, the agency will provide a description and possible questionnaire changes to provide clearer instructions to respondents answering that they have not completed high school.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
07/31/2013
36 Months From Approved
08/31/2011
144,700
0
61,200
60,292
0
25,500
2,755,500
0
0
The data collected in this survey will enable NSF to partially fulfill the Congressional mandate to serve as a clearing house for information on the scientific and technical population of the U.S. This information allows for policy and planning activities by officials of government, private industry and academic institutions.
In the past, after each decennial census, a new sample was drawn from the census long form, and that sample followed until the end of the decade. This was done in 1982, 1993 and 2003. The first survey in the decade has been much more expensive and burdensome than the following ones because of the larger sample size required to identify the S&E personnel in the U.S.
The sample size required for the 2010 survey is significantly less than the initial survey (2003) in the previous decade because of the field of bachelorÂs degree item added to the ACS in 2009 allows for much more efficient sampling that targets S&E personnel. Therefore, the 2010 NSCG burden hours of 34,792 is significantly less than the 74,877 hours estimated for the 2003 survey, which had a sample size of 217,000. The 2010 NSCG burden hours are actually less than the 2008 burden hours of 35,500 with a sample size of 68,000 and a response rate of 90%.
The change in burden from the 2008 survey is because of lower expected overall response rate in 2010 NSCG than 2008. Two-thirds of the 2010 sample will consist of the new cohort sample from the 2009 ACS frame for whom a lower response rate is expected. Sample members selected from the ACS will be unfamiliar with the survey, and their locating information will not be as complete as the old cohort sample
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Section_E_Demog-_Old_and_New_Cohort.docx
3145-0141 Non-substantial change.doc
NSF Act of 1950.pdf
Appendix C NSCG08 SamplingTallies.xls
2010 National Survey of College Graduates