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Social Science Research Assistants
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.
Other titles employers use
Clinical Research Assistant · Graduate Assistant · Graduate Research Assistant · Research Aide · Research Assistant · Research Associate · Research Technician · Social Research Assistant
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
Subjects to know
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Administrative
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Information Ordering
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.9 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 1.7 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.3 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 1.7 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 53%
- A master's degree 38%
- A certificate or some college 9%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Object or component oriented development software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Desktop publishing software
- Geographic information system
- Enterprise application integration software
- Web platform development software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 4,100
- Job openings each year
- 510
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 10.8%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4,100 | 510 | 10.8% |
| New York | 3,540 | 40 | 11.7% |
| North Carolina | 3,430 | 430 | 14.0% |
| District of Columbia | 2,710 | 340 | 12.9% |
| Texas | 1,510 | 190 | 15.3% |
| Georgia | 1,400 | 170 | 9.4% |
| Indiana | 1,040 | 130 | 8.3% |
| Maryland | 980 | 120 | 11.4% |
| Virginia | 890 | 110 | 4.7% |
| Arizona | 880 | 110 | 7.3% |
| Florida | 830 | 110 | 16.9% |
| Massachusetts | 800 | 100 | 8.1% |
| Utah | 790 | 100 | 33.9% |
| Washington | 760 | 120 | 22.6% |
| Colorado | 590 | 80 | 15.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 590 | 70 | 5.4% |
| South Carolina | 560 | 70 | 12.0% |
| Illinois | 480 | 60 | 4.3% |
| Ohio | 420 | 50 | 2.4% |
| Michigan | 400 | 50 | 5.3% |
| West Virginia | 390 | 50 | 2.6% |
| Minnesota | 380 | 50 | 2.7% |
| Missouri | 360 | 40 | 9.1% |
| Nebraska | 340 | 40 | 6.3% |
| Louisiana | 330 | 40 | 10.0% |
| Kentucky | 290 | 40 | 7.4% |
| New Mexico | 210 | 30 | 10.5% |
| New Jersey | 200 | 20 | 11.1% |
| Arkansas | 150 | 20 | 25.0% |
| Connecticut | 150 | 20 | 15.4% |
| Maine | 140 | 20 | — |
| Delaware | 120 | 20 | 20.0% |
| Iowa | 120 | 20 | 9.1% |
| New Hampshire | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Oklahoma | 120 | 20 | 9.1% |
| Oregon | 110 | 10 | 22.2% |
| Kansas | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Mississippi | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Vermont | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Wisconsin | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Alabama | 50 | 10 | — |
| Alaska | 30 | 0 | — |
| Idaho | 30 | 0 | — |
| North Dakota | 30 | 0 | — |
| Nevada | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
University of California-Los Angeles
- Degrees each year
- 3,360
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of California-Santa Barbara
- Degrees each year
- 2,360
- Admit rate
- 28%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of California-Berkeley
- Degrees each year
- 2,011
- Admit rate
- 12%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Degrees each year
- 1,834
- Admit rate
- 18%
- Annual cost after aid
- $5,000
University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Degrees each year
- 1,666
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
University of California-Davis
- Degrees each year
- 1,998
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 3,349
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Degrees each year
- 1,539
- Admit rate
- 19%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000