Proposed Collection: Comment Request

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Proposed Collection: Comment Request

Title of Collection: Public Understanding of and Attitudes Toward

Science and Technology.

In compliance with the requirement of Section 3508(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) publishes periodic summaries of proposed projects. Such a notice

was published at Federal Register 67350, dated December 20, 1996. No

comments were received.

The materials are now being sent to OMB for review. Send any

written comments to Desk Officer, OMB, 3145-033, OIRA, OMB, Washington,

D.C. 20503. OMB should receive comments within 30 days after the date

of this notice.

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 data collection techniques and

other forms of information.

Proposed Project: Study of the Public Understanding of and

Attitudes Toward Science and Technology--New--A telephone survey of

approximately 2,000 adults aged 18 and over.

The proposed survey continues a series of national surveys of

public understanding of and attitudes toward science and technology

that began in 1972. It is used in the preparation of a chapter in the

Science and Engineering Indicators reports by the National Science

Board, as mandated by Section 4(j)(I) of the National Science

Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. The Science and Engineering

Indicators report and the chapter on public understanding and attitudes

are widely used by planners and program development staff in: federal

and state agencies, universities, research centers, and similar

institutions, and by journalists and other individuals seeking to

communicate with the public concerning science and technology. The

average burden per respondent is estimated to be 22 minutes, producing

a total burden of 733 hours for the complete study.

Dated: March 6, 1997.

Gail A. McHenry,

NSF Reports Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 97-6070 Filed 3-11-97; 8:45 am]

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