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Social Science Research Assistants Occupation Detailed Description

Social Science Research Assistants career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Social Science Research Assistants

The main tasks and work activities of Social Science Research Assistants are to provide technical information or assistance to public, analyze geological or geographical data, compile geographic or related data, prepare maps. In general, for the Social Science Research Assistants, reading Comprehension, writing, active Listening, critical Thinking and other 14 skills are required.
Social Science Research Assistants Job Description
EducationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related ExperienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
ExampleMany of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Social Science Research Assistants jobs.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
0.00%
Post-Secondary Certificate
0.00%
Some College Courses
10.00%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
5.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
85.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Social Science Research Assistants

  • Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases.
  • Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
  • Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians.
  • Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.
  • Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors.
  • Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.
  • Edit and submit protocols and other required research documentation.
  • Develop and implement research quality control procedures.
  • Conduct internet-based and library research.
  • Present research findings to groups of people.
  • 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.
  • Code data in preparation for computer entry.
  • Provide assistance in the design of survey instruments such as questionnaires.
  • Screen potential subjects to determine their suitability as study participants.
  • Administer standardized tests to research subjects, or interview them to collect research data.
  • Recruit and schedule research participants.
  • Track research participants, and perform any necessary follow-up tasks.
  • Allocate and manage laboratory space and resources.
  • Supervise the work of survey interviewers.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Analyzing Data or InformationIdentifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersTranslating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Provide technical information or assistance to public.
  • Analyze geological or geographical data.
  • Compile geographic or related data.
  • Prepare maps.
  • Develop collaborative relationships between departments or with external organizations.
  • Prepare documentation for permits or licenses.
  • Review environmental permits, plans, or reports.
  • Develop technical or scientific databases.
  • Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
  • Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.
  • Conduct research on social issues.
  • Prepare information or documentation related to legal or regulatory matters.
  • Plan social sciences research.
  • Collect archival data.
  • Record research or operational data.
  • Develop software or applications for scientific or technical use.
  • Develop methods of social or economic research.
  • Administer standardized physical or psychological tests.
  • Manage scientific or technical project resources.
  • Supervise scientific or technical personnel.

Skills and Abilities for Social Science Research Assistants

  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • MathematicsUsing mathematics to solve problems.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Service OrientationActively looking for ways to help people.
  • Systems AnalysisDetermining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Learning StrategiesSelecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Mathematical ReasoningThe ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Fluency of IdeasThe ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • Number FacilityThe ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • OriginalityThe ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • Scannerse.g. Computer data input scanners
  • Laser printerse.g. Computer laser printers
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Special purpose telephonese.g. Multi-line telephone systems
  • Personal computerse.g. Personal computers
  • Photocopierse.g. Photocopying equipment
  • Tablet computerse.g. Tablet computers
  • Dictation machinese.g. Transcription equipment
  • Desktop calculatore.g. 10-key calculators
  • Still camerase.g. 35 millimeter cameras
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Digital camcorders or video camerase.g. Digital camcorders
  • Digital camerase.g. Digital cameras
  • Scannerse.g. Digitizers
  • Scalese.g. Drafting scales
  • Notebook computerse.g. Laptop computers
  • Microfiche or microfilm viewerse.g. Microfiche readers
  • Special purpose telephonese.g. Multi-line telephone systems
  • Overhead projectorse.g. Overhead projectors
  • Personal computerse.g. Personal computers
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Law and GovernmentKnowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  • GeographyKnowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
  • DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • ClericalKnowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • TransportationKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Building and ConstructionKnowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Communications and MediaKnowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.