Social Science Research Assistants

What the job really is

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

At a glance

• Sector: Life, Physical & Social Science
• O*NET-SOC code: 19-4061
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Conduct internet-based and library research.
• Present research findings to groups of people.
• Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases.
• Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion.
• Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning.
• Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
• Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.
• Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.
• Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors.
• Develop and implement research quality control procedures.
• Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians.
• Administer standardized tests to research subjects, or interview them to collect research data.

Tools and technology

Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, C++, ESRI ArcGIS software, Extensible markup language XML, IBM SPSS Statistics, JavaScript, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Data Scientists
• Clinical Data Managers
• Survey Researchers
• Clinical Research Coordinators
• Statisticians
• Statistical Assistants
• Biostatisticians
• Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Social Science Research Assistants — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.