National Science Foundation/National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
Survey of Earned Doctorates
The Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) began in 1957–58 to collect data continuously on the number and characteristics of individuals receiving research doctoral degrees from all accredited U.S. institutions. The results of this annual survey are used to assess characteristics and trends in doctorate education and degrees. This information is vital for educational and labor force planners within the federal government and in academia. The SED is sponsored by the following 6 federal agencies: National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Endowment for the Humanities, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Survey of Doctorate Recipients
The Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR) gathers information from individuals who have obtained a doctoral degree in a science, engineering or health field (SEH). The SDR is conducted every 2 years and is a longitudinal survey that follows recipients of research doctorates from U.S. institutions until age 76. This group is of special interest to many decision makers, because it represents some of the highest educated individuals in the U.S. workforce. The SDR results are used by employers in the education, industry, and government sectors to understand and to predict trends in employment opportunities and salaries in SEH fields for graduates with doctoral degrees. The data from this survey are combined with that from two other NSF surveys of scientists and engineers, the National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG) and National Survey of Recent College Graduates (NSRCG). The three surveys are closely coordinated and share the same reference date and nearly identical instruments. The data base developed from the three surveys, the Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data System (SESTAT), provides a comprehensive picture of the number and characteristics of individuals with training and/or employment in science, engineering or related fields in the United States.
Both the SED and SDR are in the process of being added to the Data Enclave and are not yet available to researchers.
Enclave Manager
Johannes Fernandes-Huessy (fernandes-huessy-johannes@norc.org)
Contact Person
Nirmala Kannankutty (nkannank@nsf.gov)
Home
http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/
http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctorates/
http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvydoctoratework/