Title:    Preliminary Report of the February 17-18, 1999 Meeting
Date:     February 24, 1999



NSB-99-29



February 24, 1999


MEMORANDUM TO:  NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD MEMBERS AND
CONSULTANTS

SUBJECT:  Preliminary Report of the February 17-18, 1999 Meeting

The major actions of the Board at its 351st meeting on February 17-18,
1999, held at the J. Paul Getty Center, Los Angeles, California, are
summarized for the information of those members and consultants absent
and as a reminder to those present.

1. The Board approved the report on mathematics and science achievement
Preparing Our Children:  Math and Science Education in the National
Interest (NSB/TIMSS 98-21), fourth revised, Board Book Tab C) and
requested an executive summary of the report be prepared.

2. The Board approved a statement on scientific research data access
under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), urging a repeal of recent
legislation that relies on FOIA to compel premature access to research
data (NSB-99-24, copy attached).

3. The Board approved the proposed planning process (copy attached) for
revising the NSF Strategic Plan, as proposed by the NSF Director.

4. The Chairman established two Committees:

a. The 1999 Vannevar Bush Award Committee chaired by Dr. Greenwood, with
Drs. Jones, Tapia and Washington as members.

b. The International Issues in Science and Engineering Committee chaired
by Dr. Natalicio, with Drs. Gaillard, Jaskolski and Sequeira as members.



Marta Cehelsky
Executive Officer


Attachments


NSB-99-24

NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD

STATEMENT ON THE
SHARING OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH DATA

ADOPTED AT THE 351ST MEETING
FEBRUARY 18, 1999


Recent legislation permits individuals to use the Freedom of Information
Act (FOIA) to compel access to raw, partially processed research data.
The premature release of raw research data disrupts the process of
discovery; it:

* Creates a mechanism that allows research to be misinterpreted, or
unfairly and inappropriately delayed or attacked;

* Interferes with the publication of researchers' work in peer reviewed
journals through compulsory and premature disclosure of research data;

* Discourages participation of research subjects because of the
legitimate fear that their responses might not ultimately be
confidential;

* Undermines public-private cooperative research efforts by breaching
the protections for participants' proprietary rights and information;

* Jeopardizes researchers' ability to obtain international patent
protection for discoveries; and

* Imposes significant administrative and financial burdens on research
institutions with no clear means of recouping such costs beyond drawing
from research funds.

This country's science and technology research policies and partnerships
have contributed to robust innovation, unprecedented increases in
productivity, improvements in the quality of life, and understanding of
our world.  The conduct of the Nation's science and engineering
enterprise requires publication of research results, as well as timely
and wide sharing of data.  Current sharing practices promote free and
open exchange of research data in a context that supports the rapid
creation of knowledge, widespread evaluation of research results, and
the entry of highly talented individuals to research.

For all these reasons, the Board urges the repeal of the provision in
recent legislation that relies upon FOIA to obtain premature access to
research data.

___________________________________
The National Science Board, the governing board of the National Science
Foundation, is charged with advising the President and Congress on
science and engineering policy.

Suggested Schedule:
Interaction with NSB


NSB Meeting:

* February 1999
* March 1999
* May 1999
* July 1999
* November 1999
* March 2000

Action
* Introduce plans
* Share annotated outline
* Share early draft
* Draft for NSB comment
* Final draft
* Transmission to OMB