NCSES should plan to engage OMB and other EOP stakeholders such as OSTP in discussions in the next six months about plans for possible changes to its SDR questions. OMB agrees to allow NCSES to repeat its late-stage incentive structure (the subject of experiments in the 2008 and 2010 rounds), but urges NCSES to conduct extensive analysis not yet undertaken on nonresponse bias, optimal uses of incentives and incentive timing in the broader context of the duration of data collection operations, and opportunities for greater use of responsive design methods to improve survey efficiency, timeliness and accuracy. All of these analyses should be conducted and briefed to OMB prior to the submission of the clearance package for the 2015 SDR.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
11/30/2014
36 Months From Approved
07/31/2013
37,600
0
35,600
15,667
0
14,833
1,645,000
0
1,677,472
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 doctoral level 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.
The 2013 SDR will include a slightly larger sample size (from 45,700 in 2010 to 47,000 in 2013) to accommodate the additional subsample added to the ISDR panel. The change in burden hours from the 2010 SDR reflects the increase in the total SDR sample size.
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.