2014-28654. Notice of Information Collection

AGENCY:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION:

Notice of information collection.

SUMMARY:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES:

All comments should be submitted within 30 calendar days from December 8, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 7th Street NW., Washington DC, 20543. Attention: Desk Officer for NASA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Frances Teel, NASA PRA Clearance Officer, NASA Headquarters, 300 E Street SW., Mail Code JF000, Washington, DC 20546, [e-mail].

I. Abstract

NASA's founding legislation, the Space Act of 1958, as amended, directs the agency to expand human knowledge of Earth and space phenomena and to preserve the role of the United States as a leader in aeronautics, space science, and technology. The NASA Office of Education administers the agency's national education activities in support of the Space Act, including the performance measurement and evaluation of educational projects and programs. This generic clearance will allow the Office of Education to test and pilot with subject matter experts, higher education students, educators, and interested parties new and existing information collection forms and assessment instruments for the purposes of improvement and establishing validity and reliability characteristics of the forms and instruments. Forms and instruments to be tested include program application forms, customer satisfaction questionnaires, focus group and cognitive interview protocols, and project activity survey instruments. Methodological testing will include focus group discussions, pilot surveys to test new individual question items as well as the complete form and instrument. In addition, split-half methodology and similar protocols will be used to determine reliability characteristics of the forms and instruments. Methodological testing will assure that forms and instruments accurately and consistently collect and measure what they are intended to measure and that data collection items are interpreted precisely and consistently, all towards the goal of accurate Agency reporting while improving the execution of NASA Education project activities.

This 30-day FRN reflects a reduction in the estimated number of respondents, as published in the 60-day FRN, Volume 78, Number 237, pages 74169-74170 on Tuesday, December 10, 2013. The targeted respondent pool will include educators, pre-college, undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students only. As a result of this reduction, the estimated cost burden also decreased. The cost burden reflects the estimated amount of time it will take for respondents to read the instructions, gather and submit the information. This 30-day notice also replaces FRN Notice 14-121, Volume 79, Number 225, pages 69537-69538 published on Friday, November 21, 2014 which incorrectly identified secondary students as part of the respondent pool.

II. Method of Collection

Electronic, paper, and focus group interviews.

III. Data

Title: Generic Clearance for the NASA Office of Education Performance Measurement and Evaluation (Testing).

OMB Number: 2700-XXXX.

Type of review: New Generic Clearance.

Affected Public: Individuals and Households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,358.

Estimated Annual Responses: Variable.

Estimated Time per Response: Variable.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,312.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: $31,876.37.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of NASA, including whether the information collected has practical utility; (2) the accuracy of NASA's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Frances Teel,

NASA PRA Clearance Officer.