Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; Survey of Doctorate Recipients
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The National Science Foundation wants to ask people who have doctor degrees in science, engineering, and health about their jobs and education to learn about changes in these fields. They want to make sure they're doing it right, so they're asking people to share ideas on how to do this better until April 6, 2021.
Summary AI
The National Science Foundation (NSF) plans to renew the Survey of Doctorate Recipients, which collects data on individuals with doctoral degrees in science, engineering, and health fields from U.S. institutions. This survey helps estimate and understand the workforce and changes in employment, education, and demographics. Comments from the public are invited until April 6, 2021, to improve the data collection process. The survey, which is voluntary and confidential, is expected to involve around 131,000 participants and will be conducted via web, mail, and phone starting July 2021.
Abstract
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to renew this collection. In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing opportunity for public comment on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of this collection for no longer than 3 years.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is proposing the renewal of the Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR), a data collection initiative focused on individuals who have earned doctoral degrees in science, engineering, and health from U.S. institutions. This survey, conducted biennially since 1973, plays a vital role in providing national estimates about the science and engineering workforce. It assesses changes in employment, education, and demographic characteristics.
As part of this process, the NSF is inviting public comments on the survey until April 6, 2021. This step aims to make any necessary improvements to ensure the data collection is practical and efficient. The survey is set to involve approximately 131,000 participants with data being collected through web surveys, mail questionnaires, and phone interviews.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several issues in the document deserve attention:
Lack of Cost Details: Notably absent is information on the total cost of conducting this survey, which is essential for assessing potential financial inefficiencies or the justification of allocated resources.
Resource Allocation: The document does not detail how resources will be distributed across various survey methods such as web, mail, and phone. This lack of clarity may lead to questions about the survey's financial planning and operational transparency.
Data Confidentiality Methodologies: While the survey complies with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002, specific methodologies to ensure data confidentiality are not outlined. This lack of detail might concern participants wary of privacy issues.
Question Wording Modifications: The mention of 5,000 cases used to investigate changes in question wording is vague. It does not explain the rationale behind these modifications or how they potentially enhance the survey's effectiveness.
Sample Size Justification: An explanation of the increased sample size from previous cycles is missing, which could otherwise justify the need for more resources or budget adaptations.
Public Comment Utilization: The document does not explain how public comments will influence the survey’s final design, leaving stakeholders unsure of their participation's impact.
Dissemination of Results: Although it mentions that results will be available on the NCSES website, there is no detailed plan for how the findings will be utilized by the public and other stakeholders.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
The document's renewal of the SDR could have various impacts:
For the General Public: The survey results can inform those interested in the trends affecting the science, engineering, and health workforce, contributing to a broader understanding of educational and employment landscapes.
For Stakeholders: Academic institutions, policy makers, and employers stand to benefit from the insights generated by this survey. The data help in making informed decisions regarding education strategies, funding policies, and employment programs.
However, stakeholders might also face challenges due to the opaque areas of the document, such as potential concerns about funding accountability and data privacy. Without clear, detailed information, confidence in the process may be tempered.
In summary, while the NSF’s plan to renew and collect comprehensive data on doctorate holders is fundamentally beneficial, addressing the highlighted issues could enhance transparency. Effectively communicating methodologies, resource allocations, and the practical relevance of public feedback could strengthen stakeholder trust and the survey's overall efficacy.
Issues
• The document does not specify the total cost associated with conducting the Survey of Doctorate Recipients, making it difficult to assess potential wasteful spending.
• There is no detailed breakdown of how funding or resources will be allocated for various components of the survey, such as web surveys, mail questionnaires, and telephone interviews.
• The document lacks specific information about the methodologies used to ensure data confidentiality, aside from general compliance with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002.
• The statement regarding using 5,000 cases for a non-production bridge panel to quantify the potential impact of question wording modifications lacks clarity on why the modifications are necessary and how they improve the survey.
• The justification for the sample size increase from previous cycles and the implications for budget and resources are not clearly explained.
• The document does not provide details on how comments received from the public will be considered in the final design of the survey collection.
• There is no mention of how the survey results will be disseminated or utilized by the public, aside from the publication on the NCSES website.