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Survey Researchers

Under the title Survey Researchers, workers plan, develop, or conduct surveys. The job can ask you to conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews. With a code of ICE, this is mostly a job for people drawn to research, analysis and working through hard problems. Conventional interests also help, rated 5.3 out of 7. Plan on graduate school and often five years or more of related experience; O*NET labels this extensive preparation. Strength in writing, speaking, and reading comprehension helps most here. People who want research, analysis and working through hard problems usually fit better here than those who need hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world.

What they do

Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.

Main tasks

  • Conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews.
  • Prepare and present summaries and analyses of survey data, including tables, graphs, and fact sheets that describe survey techniques and results.
  • Consult with clients to identify survey needs and specific requirements, such as special samples.
  • Determine and specify details of survey projects, including sources of information, procedures to be used, and the design of survey instruments and materials.
  • Support, plan, and coordinate operations for single or multiple surveys.
  • Monitor and evaluate survey progress and performance, using sample disposition reports and response rate calculations.

Skills

  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Mathematics

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 prepared for graduate-level study and a long training path.
  • You are comfortable relying on writing and speaking.

May not suit you if

  • You lose interest when a job asks for long stretches of analysis.
  • You want to work with your hands for most of the day. Realistic rates 1.7 out of 7 here.
  • You want to be working in the field within the next few years.

Interest profile

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

Preparation

Extensive preparation. Many jobs here need graduate study, and people often spend five years or more building specialist experience.

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

  • Data Analyst
  • Market Survey Representative
  • Research Associate
  • Research Fellow
  • Research Interviewer

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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.