[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46516-46517]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23365]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request;
Submission for OMB Review; NSF Survey of Research and Development
Funding and Performance by Nonprofit Organizations
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and as part of its continuing effort to reduce
paperwork and respondent burden, the National Science Foundation (NSF)
is inviting the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on
this proposed continuing information collection. This is the second
notice for public comment, the first was published in the Federal
Register at 62 FR 34315-34316 and no comment was receive. NSF will
forward the proposed renewal submission to OMB for clearance with the
publication of this second notice.
DATES: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) should receive written
comments by October 3, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submits comments to Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for National Science
Foundation, 725-17th Street, NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gail A. McHenry, the NSF Reports Clearance Officer on (703) 306-1125
x2010 or send e-mail to gmchenry@nsf.gov. You may also obtain a copy of
the data collection instrument and instructions from Mrs. McHenry.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Abstract. NSF Survey of Research and Development Funding and
Performance by Nonprofit Organizations (NPOs) will collect information
on the science and engineering (S&E) research and development (R&D)
activities of nonprofit organizations for the two most recently
completed years. (On a historic note, a prior study with similar
objectives was conducted in 1973.) The purposes of the study are to:
(1) Develop estimates of the amounts of R&D funding provided by NPOs
and the types of organizations supported; (2) develop estimates of the
amount of R&D performed by NPOs; and (3) develop estimates of R&D
employment in NPOs. Two different survey questionnaires will be used.
R&D performers will be asked for R&D expenditures by source of funds,
by field of science and engineering, by category of work (Basic,
Applied, Development), by state, and amounts expended for capital
improvements, and for employment. R&D funders will be asked for amount
of S&E R&D they fund at various categories of R&D performers. The
information is needed to update available data on the R&D activities of
the nonprofit segment. The Gallup Organization will conduct the study
for NSF.
Two samples will be drawn: one of NPO R&D performers and a second
of NPO R&D funders. The R&D performers'
[[Page 46517]]
sample will be drawn from organizations filing a 990 tax return. An
initial sample of roughly, 4,460 potential NPO R&D performers will be
selected and sent a short screening questionnaire to establish
eligibility for the main study. NPOs in this initial sample will be
drawn from four strata:
1. NPOs which received Federal Funds for Science and Engineering
(S&E) R&D between 1974 and 1994 based on NSF's Federal Support to
Universities, Colleges, and Nonprofit Institutions (FS) survey and
which were found in the 990 database.
2. NPOs in the 990 database which have National Taxonomy of Exempt
Entities (NTEE) codes with a high likelihood of containing S&E R&D
performers.
3. NPOs in the 990 database which are not in the FS or in the high
likelihood NTEE codes.
4. NPOs in NSF's 1973 survey, all nonprofit-administered Federally
Funded Research and Development Centers, and others to be included with
certainty.
Depending on stratum, unweighted response rates of 80 to 90 percent
are anticipated. Also depending on stratum, from 60 to 90 percent of
the participating organizations are expected to be eligible. These
approximately 2,360 organizations will be sent a main questionnaire
that is expected to yield a final working sample size of about 2,100.
The R&D funders sample will be drawn from both 990PF tax returns
for private foundations and 990 returns for public charities. As with
the performers, a sample of potential NPO R&D funders will be selected
to receive a short screening questionnaire to establish eligibility
(N=700). Of these, 90 percent are expected to participate and 90
percent of these are expected to be eligible to participate. The
roughly 560 eligible organizations will be sent a main questionnaire
that is expected to yield a total working sample of 500.
To minimize burden on small entities and to make sure that a high
proportion of the nonprofit sector's R&D funding and performance is
captured, the sample will be designed with probabilities proportional
to size. Thus, a large NPO has a higher probability of being selected
than a small NPO has. This method is justified because large NPOs are
more likely to perform R&D than small NPOs are. Size will be determined
by budgets, assets, or awards.
The main questionnaires will be distributed in hardcopy and via the
World Wide Web. To minimize burden, the world Wide Web questionnaires
will be computer-assisted to ease user input, provide automatic totals
of numerical information and aid users in error correction. Security
procedures will minimize the risk of unwanted disclosure over the
Internet. Definitions of key survey terms have been made consistent
with OMB Circulars A-122 and A-133 to minimize potential confusion and
unnecessary effort by survey respondents.
Information being collected is not considered to be sensitive. In
general, assurances of data confidentiality will not be provided to
respondents to the NSF Survey of Research and Development Funding and
Performance by Nonprofit Organizations. The utility of the data will be
increased by allowing access to collected data. Results of pretesting
and discussions with possible respondents have suggested this approach
for handling confidentiality.
Use of the Information. The purpose of this study is to collect
data about R&D funding and performance by nonprofit organizations. The
NSF will publish a separate report of the findings and also include
them in other NSF compilations such as National Patterns of R&D
Resources and Science and Engineering Indicators. A public release file
of collected data will be made available to researchers on the World
Wide Web. The results of the survey will help policy makers in
decisions on R&D funding, regulations, and reporting guidelines.
Burden on the Public. The Foundation estimates that a total annual
reporting and recordkeeping burden of 27,056 hours will result from the
collection of information. The calculation is:
Hours
4,460 performers x 1 screening questionnaire x 12.5 minutes
=............................................................. 930
2,360 performers x 1 survey questionnaire x 10.5 hours =... 24,780
700 funders x 1 screening questionnaire x 12.5 minutes =... 146
560 funders x 1 shorter questionnaire x 2 hours =.......... 1,120
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Total........................................................ 27,056
Dated: August 27, 1997.
Gail A. McHenry,
Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-23365 Filed 8-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M
