1st FR notice for SED

This document is scheduled to be published in the
Federal Register on 11/24/2014 and available online at
http://federalregister.gov/a/2014-27654, and on FDsys.gov

7555-01-P
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Notice of Intent to Extend an Information Collection
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice and Request for Comments.
SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public
Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and as part of its
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent
burden, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is inviting
the general public or other Federal agencies to comment on
this proposed continuing information collection. The NSF
will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects.
Comments: Comments are invited on:

(a) whether the

proposed collection of information is necessary for the
proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways
to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information on those who are to
respond, including through the use of automated collection

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techniques or other forms of information technology.
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by
[INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL
REGISTER] to be assured consideration. Comments received
after that date will be considered to the extent
practicable. Send comments to address below.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Suzanne H.
Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science
Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1265, Arlington,
Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 292–7556; or send e-mail to
[email protected]. 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: Survey of Earned Doctorates.
OMB Approval Number: 3145–0019.
Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2016.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an
information collection for three years.
1. Abstract: Established within the National Science
Foundation by the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of
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2010 § 505, codified in the National Science Foundation Act
of 1950, as amended, the National Center for Science and
Engineering Statistics (NCSES) serves as a central Federal
clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, analysis,
and dissemination of objective data on science,
engineering, technology, and research and

development for

use by practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and the
public. The Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) is part of an
integrated survey system that collects data on individuals
in an effort to provide information on science and
engineering education and careers in the United States.
The SED has been conducted annually since 1958 and is
jointly sponsored by six Federal agencies (the National
Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, U.S.
Department of Education, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
National Endowment for the Humanities, and National
Aeronautics and Space Administration) in order to avoid
duplication. It is an accurate, timely source of
information on one of our Nation’s most important
resources—highly educated individuals. Data are obtained
via Web survey or paper questionnaire from each person
earning a research doctorate at the time they receive the
degree. Data are collected on their field of specialty,
educational background, sources of support in graduate
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school, debt level, postgraduation plans for employment,
and demographic characteristics.
The Federal government, universities, researchers, and
others use the information extensively. The National
Science Foundation, as the lead agency, publishes
statistics from the survey in several reports, but
primarily in the annual publication series, ‘‘Doctorate
Recipients from U.S. Universities.’’ These reports are
available on the NSF website.
The survey will be collected in conformance with the
Privacy Act of 1974.

Responses from individuals are

voluntary. NSF will ensure that all individually
identifiable information collected will be kept strictly
confidential and will be used for research or statistical
purposes, analyzing data, and preparing scientific reports
and articles.
2. Expected Respondents: A total response rate of 92% of
the 51,008 persons who earned a research doctorate was
obtained in academic year 2012. This level of response rate
has been consistent for several years. Based on the
historical trend, in 2016 approximately 56,000 individuals
are expected to receive research doctorates from U.S.
institutions.

Using the past response rate, the number of

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respondents in 2016 is estimated to be 51,520 (56,000
doctorate recipients × 0.92 response rate).

Similarly, the

number of individuals expected to earn research doctorates
in 2017 is estimated to be about 57,000; hence, the number
of respondents in 2017 is estimated to be 52,440 (57,000 ×
0.92).
3. Estimate of Burden: The Foundation estimates that, on
average, 20 minutes per respondent will be required to
complete the survey. The annual respondent burden for
completing the SED is therefore estimated at 17,173 hours
in 2016 (51,520 respondents × 20 minutes) and 17,480 hours
in 2017 (based on 52,440 respondents).
In addition to the actual survey, the SED requires the
collection of administrative data from participating
academic institutions. The Institutional Coordinator at the
institution helps distribute the Web survey link (and paper
surveys when necessary), track survey completions, and
submit information to the SED survey contractor. Based on
focus groups conducted with Institutional Coordinators, it
is estimated that the SED demands no more than 1% of the
Institutional Coordinator’s time over the course of a year,
which computes to 20 hours per year per Institutional
Coordinator (40 hours per week × 50 weeks per year × .01).

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With about 570 programs expected to participate in the SED
in 2016 and 2017, the estimated annual burden to
Institutional Coordinators of administering the SED is
11,400 hours.
Therefore, the total annual information burden for the
SED is estimated to be 28,573 hours in 2016 (17,173 +
11,400) and 28,880 hours in 2017 (17,480 + 11,400). This is
higher than the last annual estimate approved by OMB due to
the increased number of respondents (doctorate recipients).
Dated:

November 18, 2014.

Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer,
National Science Foundation.

[FR Doc. 2014-27654 Filed 11/21/2014 at 8:45 am;
Publication Date: 11/24/2014]

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