The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the
Survey of State Government Research and Development to measure
research and development (R&D) supported and performed by state
governments in the United States. This survey is a joint effort
between the Census Bureau and the National Science Foundation
(NSF). Items on the survey form include R&D expenditures
according to the source of funding, by performer of the work
(internal and external to state agencies), and by character (i.e.,
basic, applied, or developmental). Final results produced by NSF
contain state and national estimates useful to a variety of data
users interested in R&D performance including: the National
Science Board; the Office of Management and Budget; the Office of
Science and Technology Policy and other science policy
makers.
We plan to add two new
questions on R&D personnel, Questions 10 and 11 on the survey
form (Attachment C2). Based on cognitive testing, we estimate the
new questions to add an average of 1 hour burden, bringing the
total average burden per agency to 3 hours. We have added
approximately 200 state agencies to the survey frame of agencies
with the potential to perform or fund R&D activities. Adding
these 200 agencies will result in a 600-hour increase in the
survey’s total burden hour estimate.
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.