Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences

Proposed Data Collection: Comment Request

Title of Proposed Request: Survey of Earned Doctorates

In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on

proposed data collection projects, the National Science Foundation

(NSF) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request

more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the

data collection plans and instruments, call the NSF Clearance Officer

on (703) 306-1243.

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 respondents,

including through the use of automated collection techniques or other

forms of information technology.

Proposed Project: The Survey of Earned Doctorates: The Survey of

Earned Doctorates has been conducted continuously since 1958 and is

jointly sponsored by five Federal agencies in order to avoid

duplication. It is an accurate, timely source of information on our

Nation's most precious resource--highly educated individuals. Data is

obtained from each person earning a research doctorate on their field

of specialty, educational background, sources of support in graduate

school, postgraduation plans for employment, and demographic

characteristics. The information is used extensively by the Federal

government, universities, and others. The National Science Foundation,

as the lead agency, publishes statistics from the survey in the annual

publication series Selected Data on Science and Engineering Doctorates

(available in print and electronically on the World Wide Web). The

National Academy of Sciences also disseminates a free report entitled

Summary Report: Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities.

A total response rate of 95% of the total 41,610 persons who earned

a research doctorate was obtained in fiscal year 1995.

Burden estimates are as follows:

Total Number of Respondents FY 1995--41,610.

Burden Hours--20 minutes per respondent=1,383 hours total.

Send comments to Herman Fleming, Clearance Officer, National

Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 485, Arlington, VA

22230. Written comments should be received by March 17, 1997.

Dated: January 13, 1997.

Herman G. Fleming,

NSF Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 97-1136 Filed 1-16-97; 8:45 am]

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