[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 158 (Monday, August 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 43960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22007]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice.
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TITLE OF COLLECTION: Survey of Industrial Research and Development (OMB
Control No. 3145-0027).
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 or other Federal agencies to comment on
this proposed continuing information collection.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or for a copy
of the collection instrument and instructions contact Ms. Mary Lou
Higgs, Acting Clearance Officer, via surface mail: National Science
Foundation, ATTN: NSF Reports Clearance Officer, Suite 295, 4201 Wilson
Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230; telephone (703) 306-2063; e-mail
mlhiggs@nsf.gov, or FAX (703) 306-0201.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Abstract
The proposed continuing information collection involves the
estimation of the expenditures on research and development performed
within the United States by industrial firms. A mail survey, the Survey
of Industrial Research and Development, has been conducted annually
since 1953. Industry accounts for over 70 percent of total U.S. R&D
each year and since its inception, the survey has provided continuity
of statistics on R&D expenditures by major industry groups and by
source of funds. The survey is the industrial component of the NSF
statistical program that seeks to ``provide a central clearinghouse for
the collection, interpretation, and analysis of data on the
availability of, and the current and projected need for, scientific and
technical resources in the United States, and to provide a source of
information for policy formulation by other agencies of the Federal
government'' as mandated in the National Science Foundation Act of
1950. Statistics from the survey are published in NSF's annual
publication series Research and Development in Industry. The proposed
collection will continue the survey for three years.
2. Expected Respondents
The survey will be mailed to a statistical sample of approximately
23,400 companies to collect information on the amount and sources of
funds for and character of R&D performed and contracted out by
industrial firms, and information on sales and employment of the firms
themselves.
3. Burden on the Public
To minimize burden, over 90-percent of the companies selected for
the Survey of Industrial Research and Development are asked to respond
to the Form RD-1A, the abbreviated version of the basic survey
questionnaire, Form RD-1. Further, only companies with five paid
employees or more are asked to participate in the survey and extensive
use is made of the descriptive codes and information on the
establishment list that is the source of the survey sample to avoid
sampling firms in industries that traditionally do not perform R&D.
NSF, with input from the Bureau of the Census, the collection and
compiling agent for the survey, estimates that the average annual
reporting and record keeping burden on each Form RD-1A respondent will
be 1 hour and on Form RD-1 respondents will be 15 hours. The total
annual burden is estimated at 43,000 hours, calculated as follows:
RD-1A respondents: 22,000 respondents x 1 response x 1 burden
hour=22,000 hours/year.
RD-1 respondents: 1,400 respondents x 1 response x 15 burden
hours=21,000 hours/year.
All respondents: 22,000+21,000=43,000 burden hours/year during
1999, 2000, and 2001.
Comments Requested
Dates: NSF should receive written comments on or before October 16,
1998.
Addresses: Submit written comments to Ms. Mary Lou Higgs, Acting
Clearance Officer, through surface mail at: National Science
Foundation, ATTN: NSF Reports Clearance Officer, Suite 295, 4201 Wilson
Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230; through e-mail to mlhiggs@nsf.gov; or
via FAX (703) 306-0201.
Special Areas for Review: NSF especially request comments on:
(a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the Foundation, including
whether the information will have utility;
(b) the accuracy of the Foundation's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information;
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
(d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, e.g., permitting submission of responses
through the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques.
Dated: August 12, 1998.
Mary Lou Higgs,
Acting NSF Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-22007 Filed 8-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M
