SRS-Generic Clearance of Survey Improvement Projects for the Division of Science Resources Statistics

Forms and Documents

Document	Type	Status	Availability
Annual Report 2012 Generic Clearances 2013-05-24.docx	Justification for No Material/Nonsubstantive Change	Uploaded 2013-05-30	Available
Report on 2010 generic clearance activities 05 27 2011.docx	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2011-06-01	Available
Report on 2009 generic clearance activities FINAL 06 01 2010.doc	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2010-06-16	Available
Report on 2008 generic clearance activities 05 18 09.doc	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2009-06-17	Available
Report on activities 2006 06 25 07.doc	Justification for No Material/Nonsubstantive Change	Uploaded 2007-07-13	Available
3145-0174 Supporting Statement B final.pdf	Supporting Statement B	Uploaded 2016-05-03	Available
3145-0174 Supporting Statement A final.pdf	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2016-05-03	Available

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
232898	Testing the Definition of Individual Innovation (NCSES Generic)	Other-Survey	New
231268	Quantitative Research for the Survey of Earned Doctorates	Other-Quantitative Study for the Survey of Earned Doctorates	New
231033	Request for Approval for Cognitive Testing of Innovation Activities as Input to Annual Business Survey	Other-Recruiting Script	New
228258	Testing the Salary Question Format and Confidentiality Pledge wording in NCSES surveys	Other-Survey	New
227424	Request for Approval for Cognitive Testing of Innovation Module for the 2017 Survey of Business Owners (SBO)	Other-Innovation Testing Interview Protocol	New
226393	Qualitative Research for the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED)	Other-Discussion guide	New
226356	Proposed Content Revisions for the Survey of Science and Engineering Research Facilities	Other-Contact protocol	New
225730	Pilot Follow-up Survey for the Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering (GSS)	Other-Follow-up survey	New
223952	Pilot Survey Data Collection for the Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering (GSS)	Other-Survey	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 3145-0174	ICR Reference No: 201605-3145-001
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201305-3145-004
Agency/Subagency: NSF	Agency Tracking No:
Title: SRS-Generic Clearance of Survey Improvement Projects for the Division of Science Resources Statistics
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 07/28/2016
	Date Received in OIRA: 05/19/2016
Terms of Clearance: Previous terms of clearance remain in effect: NSF will submit individual requests under this generic clearance to OMB including a justification section describing the proposed collection and any planned analysis in detail, specifically addressing the relevance of the collection to the overall structure of the generic clearance. OMB will attempt to provide comments within three weeks of official receipt of individual clearance requests under this generic. NSF must receive OMB approval prior to fielding any proposed collections under this clearance.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	07/31/2019	36 Months From Approved	07/31/2016
Responses	8,680	0	11,060
Time Burden (Hours)	11,180	0	14,280
Cost Burden (Dollars)	512,379	0	602,330

---

Abstract: Survey improvement techniques (e.g., focus grousp, cognitive/ usability interviews, and split panel tests) are routinely used to improve the quality and timeliness of surveys, while simultaneously reducing respondent burden. The purpose of this generic clearance is to allow SRS to continue to use these techniques to improves its data collections on science, engineering, and technologyinputs and outputs. Respondens are from industry, academia, nonprofit organizations, and members of the public.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 42 USC 1861 Name of Law: National Science Foundation Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

---

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	81 FR 7833	02/16/2016
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	81 FR 26835	05/04/2016
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

---

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 9

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Proposed Content Revisions for the Survey of Science and Engineering Research Facilities
Testing the Salary Question Format and Confidentiality Pledge wording in NCSES surveys
Quantitative Research for the Survey of Earned Doctorates
Request for Approval for Cognitive Testing of Innovation Module for the 2017 Survey of Business Owners (SBO)
Request for Approval for Cognitive Testing of Innovation Activities as Input to Annual Business Survey
Pilot Survey Data Collection for the Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering (GSS)
Pilot Follow-up Survey for the Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering (GSS)
Qualitative Research for the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED)
Testing the Definition of Individual Innovation (NCSES Generic)

---

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	8,680	11,060	0	-2,380	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	11,180	14,280	0	-3,100	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	512,379	602,330	0	-89,951	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: The decrease is due to program changes.

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $2,800,000

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

---

Common Form ICR:  No

---

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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 05/19/2016

---