NCSES-Generic Clearance of Survey Improvement Projects for the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Annual Report 2012 Generic Clearances 2013-05-24.docx Justification for No Material/Nonsubstantive Change	2013-05-30
Report on 2010 generic clearance activities 05 27 2011.docx Supplementary Document	2011-06-01
Report on 2009 generic clearance activities FINAL 06 01 2010.doc Supplementary Document	2010-06-16
Report on 2008 generic clearance activities 05 18 09.doc Supplementary Document	2009-06-17
Report on activities 2006 06 25 07.doc Justification for No Material/Nonsubstantive Change	2007-07-13
3145-0174 Supporting Statement B.docx Supporting Statement B	2022-07-26
3145-0174 Supporting Statement A 7-2022.docx Supporting Statement A	2022-07-26

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 3145-0174	ICR Reference No: 202207-3145-003
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 201905-3145-003
Agency/Subagency: NSF	Agency Tracking No:
Title: NCSES-Generic Clearance of Survey Improvement Projects for the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 07/26/2022

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	07/31/2022
Responses	28,515	7,595
Time Burden (Hours)	11,500	15,610
Cost Burden (Dollars)	569,595	757,866

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Abstract: Techniques such as focus groups, cognitive interviews, usability tests, and split panel tests are routinely used to improve the quality and timeliness of survey instruments, methodologies, and data dissemination tools, while simultaneously reducing respondent burden. The purpose of this generic clearance is to allow NCSES to continue using these techniques to improve its data collections and data dissemination related to science, engineering, technology, and research and development (R&D). Respondents are from industry, academia, nonprofit organizations, and members of the public.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 42 USC 1861 Name of Law: National Science Foundation Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	87 FR 4664	01/28/2022
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	87 FR 44429	07/26/2022
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 0

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	28,515	7,595	0	20,920	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	11,500	15,610	0	-4,110	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	569,595	757,866	0	-188,271	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Using Information Technology

Short Statement: The request for 11,500 burden hours is higher than the current generic clearance (7,595 hours). The request for 28,515 respondents is higher than the current generic clearance (15,610 respondents). The increase is due to two primary factors: 1. In recent years, NCSES has launched a new Research Program to fund investigative and innovative projects to prepare for more broad-ranging changes (examples include modularized survey delivery and smartphone app surveys). Much of the work done under this new program is through Broad Agency Announcements (BAA), and may require generic clearance approval. 2. NCSES anticipates taking advantage of new ways of recruiting large numbers of participants for small-scale studies (e.g., Amazon Mechanical Turk, or MTurk).

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $2,800,000

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 07/26/2022

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