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Social Science Research Assistants

Under the title Social Science Research Assistants, workers assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. Expect to design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning. Its interest code is ICS. Investigative leads at 6.1 out of 7, so expect research, analysis and working through hard problems, with Conventional next at 5.9. Plan on a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience; O*NET labels this considerable preparation. Strength in reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking helps most here. You may also need to provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations. People who want research, analysis and working through hard problems usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

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.

Main tasks

  • 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.

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Complex Problem Solving

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
  • You are comfortable relying on reading comprehension and writing.

May not suit you if

  • You lose interest when a job asks for long stretches of analysis.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.9 out of 7 here.
  • You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ICS takes the three highest, and Investigative comes first here.

Preparation

Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Clinical Research Assistant
  • Graduate Assistant
  • Graduate Research Assistant
  • Research Aide
  • Research Assistant

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.