What is SESTAT?

SESTAT is a comprehensive and integrated system of information about the employment, educational, and demographic characteristics of scientists and engineers (S&E;) in the United States. In concept it covers those with a bachelor's degree or higher who either work in or are educated in science or engineering, although some data on the non-S&E; are also included.

SESTAT was created by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to provide data for policy analysis and general research. Maintained by the Division of Science Resource Studies within the NSF, SESTAT contains data from three NSF-sponsored demographic surveys. These surveys were conducted in 1993, 1995, 1997 and 1999. These surveys provide data that have been integrated into a single system. The 1993 surveys include responses from about 200,000 individuals representing an S&E; population of 11.6 million. The 1995 surveys include responses from about 105,000 individuals, representing 12.0 million scientists and engineers. The 1997 surveys include responses from about 100,000 individuals representing 12.6 million scientists and engineers. The 1999 surveys include responses from about 87,000 individuals representing 13.1 million scientists and engineers. The 1993 National Survey of College Graduates was a once-a-decade baseline survey in that it also covered the non-S&E; population with a bachelor's or higher degree -- about 29 million people.

SESTAT data is available on the Web and on CDs. The SESTAT web version includes prepared tables and a feature for the user to define their own table. Extensive documentation is available for each variable. The SESTAT CDs allow cross-sectional, timeseries and longitudinal analysis with data formats in SAS or flat file.

SESTAT is now in a period of growth and development, in which its content and software features are being expanded. The current system reflects a thorough redesign of previous NSF data collection and dissemination efforts. This redesign has affected definitions, probability sampling, question and instrument design, methods of data collection, and all other aspects of the surveys. For this reason, the SESTAT data are not comparable with NSF data on scientists and engineers prior to 1993.

Technical Information Click here for technical information on sampling, survey design, and other data collection activities.

Types of Data Available

SESTAT contains the following types of count and characteristics data for scientists and engineers:

Labor Force Information

For the employed:

Primary job and salary during reference week
Full/part-time status -- including reasons for part-time
If previously retired
Type of employer: educational institution (by type); private for-profit; private not-for-profit; government (by level)
If self-employed
Supervisory responsibility, including number typically supervised directly and through subordinates
Relationship between work and education (highest degree) -- including reasons for employment outside the degree field
Typical work activities (in 14 categories) -- including primary and secondary work activities
Licensing/certification if required/recommended or held
U.S. government support for work -- including supporting agencies or departments
Second job -- including occupation, salary, and relationship between work and education (highest degree)

For the unemployed and those not in the labor force:

Reasons for not working during the reference week
When last worked
Job last worked

Other Work-Related Information

Labor Force Status: Five Years Ago

Type of employer and job
If different from current job, reasons for changing employer or job

Professional Activities:

Membership in professional societies and associations -- including meeting attendance
Participation in work-related activities -- including types of activities and reasons for participation

Education

First B.A. and two most recent degrees -- level, degree field (major and minor), when awarded
Earlier education -- date awarded high school diploma; Associate degree(s)
Continuing education -- post-degree college courses, reasons and field of study; employer financing
Work-related training -- types of work-related training and reasons for training activities

Other Information

Family-related:

Marital status
Spouse's employment status -- if working full/part-time, technical expertise required on job
Children living at home (and ages)
Parents' educational attainment

Demographics:

Citizenship status (by type)
Age
Race/ethnicity
Sex
Disability
Country of birth

More on SESTAT Data Click here to explore in more detail the types of information currently available in SESTAT.

Accessing SESTAT

SESTAT is accessed through the world wide web (WWW) using the Netscape (HTML3) or compatible browser.

The SESTAT software will allow you to:

Generate a customized table
Access commonly asked for tables
View technical documentation
View announcements about the availability of new and updated SESTAT data

These data are also available in public use CD format. To request a CD, please email to SESTAT@nsf.gov.

Confidentiality of the Data

The National Science Foundation pledges confidentiality to each survey respondent. SESTAT protects respondent confidentiality through a variety of electronic and other means. For this reason, not all data collected in SESTAT is available in public use form.

Contact Information

For more information about SESTAT, explore the rest of the SESTAT Home Page. You will find information about SESTAT data collection and processing methodologies, SESTAT publications, and answers to questions frequently asked about SESTAT. The Home Page also lists who to contact for additional information.

Updated: May 14, 2002