Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; 2025 National Survey of College Graduates
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government wants to ask a lot of college graduates questions about their jobs and education to help plan for the future. They are getting ready to do this big survey in 2025, and anyone who gets the survey can choose to answer or not, like a special kind of homework that is not graded.
Summary AI
The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) under the National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted a proposal for collecting data for the 2025 National Survey of College Graduates to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. This survey aims to gather information on the education and employment of US college graduates, crucial for reports about the science and engineering workforce. The NCSES seeks public comments on the survey, which will involve about 161,000 people and is planned to start in March 2025. The survey will be conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau using online and mail questionnaires, and participation is voluntary.
Abstract
The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) within the National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the following information collection requirement to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register and two comments were received. NCSES is forwarding the proposed information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this second notice. The full submission may be found at: http://www.reginfo.gov/ public/do/PRAMain.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), a part of the National Science Foundation (NSF), is a formal request for comments regarding the proposed data collection for the 2025 National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG). The survey is intended to collect critical data about the education, employment, and demographic characteristics of college graduates in the United States. This information is crucial for producing national reports on the science and engineering workforce, which inform federal policy and planning.
General Summary
The NCSES plans to conduct the survey, beginning in March 2025, targeting approximately 161,000 individuals. The data collection will leverage both online and mail questionnaires and will be carried out by the U.S. Census Bureau. Participation is voluntary, and the NCSES estimates a response rate of 60 to 65 percent. Public comments are sought to refine the survey, and these comments will be reviewed as part of the final approval process by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Significant Issues and Concerns
A notable issue is the absence of a detailed cost estimate for conducting the survey. Understanding the overall financial burden is essential to evaluate the efficiency of resource allocation and to address concerns about potential wasteful spending. Furthermore, while public participation is voluntary, the document estimates an average annual burden of 13,372 hours on respondents across a three-year period, which might cause some confusion about annual versus total burden hours.
Another concern is the ambiguity surrounding the inclusion of a sexual orientation question in the survey. Various stakeholder groups have recommended its inclusion; however, the document does not confirm if this recommendation will be implemented in the 2025 cycle. Moreover, while the document makes reference to maintaining respondent confidentiality, it does not provide specific details about the measures to secure personal data, beyond mentioning general Census Bureau standards.
Public Impact
Broadly speaking, the collection of data from college graduates will help in shaping policies aimed at addressing gaps and opportunities within the STEM workforce in the United States. The comprehensive national data can positively influence educational institutions, governmental policy-making, and employment practices by granting insights into workforce trends and needs.
Impact on Stakeholders
For policymakers and educational institutions, this survey provides vital insights that can guide curriculum development and educational programs, aligning them with workforce demands. The inclusion of questions on sexual orientation could offer a deeper understanding of diversity within the science and engineering fields. Organizations advocating for more inclusive data collection, such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), are key stakeholders who stand to benefit from more granular data.
Conversely, respondents may feel burdened by the survey, considering the estimated time commitment. There is also a potential privacy concern among participants due to the lack of detailed confidentiality protocols in the document, which might lead to hesitancy or refusal to participate. Balancing thorough data collection with respect for respondent time and privacy is crucial for maximizing participation and the quality of collected data.
In sum, the proposal for the 2025 National Survey of College Graduates offers significant opportunities for enhancing understanding of the U.S. workforce in science and engineering but could be improved by addressing the identified issues and concerns to assure transparency, efficiency, and stakeholder engagement.
Issues
• The document does not specify the total estimated cost of conducting the 2025 National Survey of College Graduates, which could be relevant for assessing potential wasteful spending.
• The precision of some statistical details like the expected response rate (60 to 65 percent) might be ambiguous and could be narrowed down.
• The document mentions the incorporation of a sexual orientation question but does not provide a decisive statement on whether it will be included in the 2025 NSCG.
• The language regarding the necessity and utility of the survey data, especially in relation to the mandates of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, could be more concise to ensure clarity.
• The estimated burden of 13,372 hours is projected over a three-year OMB clearance period but might confuse readers about the annual burden as it is stated 'average annual burden.'
• References to websites should ensure accessibility and clear navigation instructions for adequate public engagement and comment submission.
• There is no detailed explanation of how the confidentiality of respondents will be maintained beyond a general mention of 'applicable Census Bureau confidentiality statutes.'