E7-14366. Proposed Collection; Comment Request; NICHD Research Partner Satisfaction Surveys

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval.

Proposed Collection: Title: NICHD Research Partner Satisfaction Surveys. Type of Information Collection Request: RENEWAL of OMB Clearance 0925-0532. Need and Use of Information Collection: Executive Order 12862 directs agencies that provide significant services directly to the public to survey customers to determine the kind and quality of services they want and their level of satisfaction with existing services. With this submission, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Office of Science Policy, Analysis and Communication (OSPAC), seeks to obtain OMB's generic approval to conduct customer satisfaction surveys surrounding its research programs and activities.

The NICHD was founded in 1963. Its mission is to ensure, through research, the birth of healthy infants and the opportunity for each to reach full potential in adulthood, unimpaired by physical or mental disabilities. The NICHD conducts and supports research on the many factors that protect and enhance the processes of human growth and development. The developmental focus of the NICHD means that its research portfolio is unusually broad. NICHD programs include research on infant mortality, birth defects, learning disorders, developmental disabilities, vaccine development, and demographic and behavioral sciences, among others.

In addition to supporting laboratory research, clinical trials, and epidemiological studies that explore health processes, the NICHD disseminates information that emanates from its research programs to its customers, or those who are partners with the Institute. This includes scientists, practitioners, other health professionals, and the public.

Survey information will augment the NICHD's on-going efforts to assess their research funding mechanisms, activities, and programs, as well as the information products that are used to disseminate research findings. Primary objectives are: (1) To identify opportunities and barriers to achieving scientific aims; (2) to learn about emerging scientific opportunities and unmet public health needs; (3) to measure customer satisfaction with information products; and (4) to identify strengths and weaknesses of the NICHD's program operations. The OSPAC will use the survey results to better respond to its customers, including its various partners in research, and to improve the NICHD's research programs and activities. Findings will help to: (1) Formulate strategies to help enhance research opportunities and remove barriers; (2) target the NICHD's research programs and activities to take advantage of emerging scientific opportunities and meet public health needs related to its mission; (3) develop information products tailored to the NICHD audience; and (4) improve program planning, management, and operations. Frequency of Response: Annual [As needed on an on-going and concurrent basis]. Affected Public: Members of the public, researchers, practitioners, and other health professionals. Type of Respondents: Members of the public; eligible grant applicants and actual applicants (both successful and unsuccessful); clinicians and other health professionals; and actual or potential clinical trials participants. The annual reporting burden is as follows: Estimated Number of Respondents: 28,000; Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1; Average Burden Hours Per Response: Varies with survey type, see below; and Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours Requested: 5,883. The annualized cost to respondents is estimated at: $109,541.46. There are no Capital Costs to report. There are no Operating or Maintenance Costs to report.

Type of respondents	Estimated number of respondents	Estimated number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Estimated total annual burden hours requested
Web-based	24,000	1	0.167	4,008.00
Telephone	2,000	1	0.50	1,000.00
Paper	1,500	1	0.25	375.00
In-person	500	1	1.00	500.00
Total	28,000			5,883.00

Request for Comments: Written comments and/or suggestions from the public and affected agencies are invited on one or more of the following points: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the function of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (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 those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request more information on the proposed project, contact Paul L. Johnson, NIH NICHD Office of Science Policy, Analysis and Communication (OSPAC), 9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg. 31, Rm. 2A-18, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2425, or call non-toll-free at 301-402-3213. You may also e-mail your request to [e-mail].

Comments Due Date: Comments regarding this information collection are best assured of having their full effect if received within 60-days of the date of this publication.

Dated: July 19, 2007.

Paul L. Johnson,

Project Clearance Liaison, NICHD, National Institutes of Health.