0648-0568 Supporting Statement Part B

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI), Undergraduate Scholarship Program (USP), Cooperative Science Centers (CSCs),

and Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholar

OMB Control No. 0648-0568

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

• This section applies only to the student alumni form.

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g. establishments, State and local governmental units, households, or persons) in the universe and the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form. The tabulation must also include expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection has been conducted before, provide the actual response rate achieved.

Each year, students in each program complete the program requirements and graduate with a degree. Therefore, the sample for each year’s data collection is the number of alumni two years from graduation. In previous clearances, the total alumni was included in the sample, now only recent graduates will be sampled.

The alumni form was deployed online as the Voluntary Alumni Update System (VAUS) in 2014, at which time a response rate of 60% was targeted. For the 2017 renewal, 162 responses were received in the system for an average of 81 per year, a response rate of approximately 3%. By reducing the total population from 2,800 to 50, we expect a response rate of 20%.

Table 2: Potential respondent universe and expected response rates

Population	Sampling	Sample Size	Expected Response Rate
EPP/MSI Cooperative Science Center Alumni	Census	10 to 20/yr	20%
EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship Alumni	Census	5 to 10/yr	20%
Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Alumni	Census	10 to 15/yr	20%
Nancy Foster Scholarship Alumni	Census	2 to 5/yr	100%

2. Describe the procedures for the collection, including: the statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection; the estimation procedure; the degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification; any unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures; and any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.

As there will be censuses of the respective populations, there will be no sampling.

3. Describe the methods used to maximize response rates and to deal with nonresponse. The accuracy and reliability of the information collected must be shown to be adequate for the intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided if they will not yield “reliable” data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

In an effort to increase the response rate, OEd will conduct an active campaign of emails and reminders to non-respondents over a one-month period. The questionnaire has been designed to be respondent-friendly (e.g., almost all questions are closed-ended, worded in a clear, easy to understand manner, and skip logic has been incorporated).

Addressing Nonresponse: Data received from responses will be compared with results from an OEd 2017 commissioned study which gathered data on more than 2,000 former scholars. We will identify and report whether our responses are significantly different from the total alumni results collected in the study.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Tests are encouraged as an effective means to refine collections, but if ten or more test respondents are involved OMB must give prior approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

No tests have been or will be undertaken. The evaluation system is designed to collect data through online survey systems. For Hollings and EPP, this is the Voluntary Alumni Update System. Nancy Foster will use Survey Monkey.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on the statistical

aspects of the design, and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other

person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

Individual consulted on statistical design:

• Dr. John Baek, Senior Education Evaluator, NOAA Office of Education (ERT Contractor, john.baek@noaa.gov, 202-482-8189) developed the statistical design for the proposed evaluation study.

Individuals who will oversee data collection and analysis:

• Dr. Natasha White, NOAA Office of Education (natasha.white@noaa.gov, 301.628.2916) will be responsible for overseeing the automated data collection process and for overseeing the functioning and maintenance of the evaluation system for EPP and Hollings.

• Claire Fackler, National Education Liaison, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (claire.fackler@noaa.gov, 805-893-6429) will be responsible for initiating the automated data collection process and for ensuring the functioning and maintenance of the survey system for Nancy Foster.