Approved as
amended by memos and conference calls through 12/18. In addition,
NSF and Census will (1) conduct methodological investigations to
better understand the causes and implications of nonresponse in the
SIRD. Specifically, a record-keeping study should be done to find
out what information businesses have regarding the voluntary items
and reasons for nonresponse to those items. Second, further
research should be done to study the effect of imputation on the
quality of the data; especially the cumulative effect of high
imputation rates year after year. (2) NSF has clearance to collect
fringe benefit information as for this clearance period only. Upon
resubmission for the next clearance, NSF will discuss the findings
from this data with respect to the quality of information being
collected. Any reports from data collected during this clearance
period should reflect the fact that this is a pilot data
collection. Upon resubmission of this package, if NSF believes that
the quality of information is sufficient, NSF should provide
adequate documentation thereof and request permission to collect
this information on a permanent basis. (3) NSF has clearance to
require disaggregated R&D expenditures by state for this
clearance period only, to be recleared upon resubmission of the
pkg. The primary purpose for this prelim. data collection is to
assess the quality of information being collected, and any
subsequent use or presentation of this data should also reflect the
pilot study nature of the data collection at this point. If NSF
believes that the quality of information is sufficient, they shall
provide adequate documentation and request permission to require
this collection of information on a permanent basis. (4) NSF will
initiate a web-based version of this survey by the next submission
of this clearance request. If NSF is unable to complete a web-based
version upon resubmission, NSF must provide justification as to why
web-based surveys can not be implemented in this instance, and
document the steps being taken to allow full electronic submission
of the survey.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
01/31/2005
01/31/2005
01/31/2002
24,200
0
23,400
51,400
0
43,000
0
0
0
This survey measure the amount and
indicates the direction of R&D expenditures by U.S. industry.
Government agencies, corporations, academic researchers, trade
associations, research organizations, and others use the survey
statistics to analyze and forecast technological growth,
investigate productivity determinants, formulate tax policy, and
compare individual company performance with industry averages.
Companies with known R&D activity and samples of companies in
selected industries that may conduct R&D are included.
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.
Survey of Industrial Research and Development, 2001-2004