Career Details

19-4061.00 - 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.

Key Facts

Bright Outlook

Career Details

Green Job

Career Details

Current Employment

32,000

Estimate

Forecasted Employment

33,800

Estimate

Change in Employment

+1,800

Estimate

Change in Employment %

+5.6%

Estimate

Tasks

The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.

Core

Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases.
Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
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.
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.

Supplemental

Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians.
Edit and submit protocols and other required research documentation.
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.
Track laboratory supplies and expenses such as participant reimbursement.
Perform needs assessments or consult with clients to determine the types of research and information required.
Collect specimens such as blood samples, as required by research projects.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.

English Language

Computers and Electronics

Clerical

Mathematics

Customer and Personal Service

Education and Training

Psychology

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Tools

The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.

Computer data input devices

Computer printers

Computers

Personal communication devices

Duplicating machines

Typing machines and accessories

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Technology

The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.

Content authoring and editing software

Educational or reference software

Data management and query software

Information exchange software

Industry specific software

Business function specific software

Development software

Network applications software

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Certifications

The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.

No specific certifications are listed for this career

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Licensing

The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.

No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Related Programs

Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.

INSTITUTION

PROGRAMS

Brightpoint Community College

Programs

Eastern Shore Community College

Programs

Germanna Community College

Programs

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

Programs

Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts

Associate of Arts

This degree is for those who want to transfer to a 4 year college to prepare for a career in broad study fields that demand thinking on many levels, reading, writing, and those that involve any of the arts, humanities, or social sciences. Majors must take two years of a foreign language.

Associate of Science in General Studies

Associate of Science

This program is for those with transfer goals that are not met by other Reynolds transfer programs. It has 46 credits of broad content courses and 15 that must match core courses in the chosen program at a four year college.

Associate of Science in Social Sciences

Associate of Science

The social sciences are concerned with the study of human society and emphasize the role of analysis, experimentation, and the scientific method. The chief academic disciplines of the social sciences are anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, geography, history, and sociology. The Social Sciences AS degree is designed for those who plan to transfer to a fouryear college or university to complete a bachelor’s degree in the social sciences. The curricula consist of courses in general education (including foreign language, natural science, and social science) typically required in the first two years of a baccalaureate curriculum in the social sciences.

Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Major

Associate of Arts

The Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts lays the foundation for a Bachelor of Arts degree in art and art history, ASL-English Interpretation, communication, Deaf studies, English/literature, history, humanities, journalism, music, philosophy, pre-law, social sciences, speech-language pathology, religious studies, and world languages. The liberal arts promote a broad background of knowledge across the arts, humanities, languages, and social sciences to develop students' abilities in analytical and critical thinking, written and oral communication, and understanding global cultural awareness. The Liberal Arts degree is a two-year program designed for those students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree. While the program is designed to provide transfer paths that will match the requirements of four-year colleges and universities, the requirements may differ. Therefore, students are strongly urged to work with their assigned advisor and to acquaint themselves with the requirements of the major department in the college or university to which they plan to transfer. This program requires intermediate proficiency (two years of coursework or its equivalent) in a language other than English.

Associate of Science in Social Sciences - Pre-Social Work Major

Associate of Science

The Pre-Social Work specialization is designed for students who plan to transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University and major in social work. This specialization was developed in collaboration with VCU, and an articulation agreement exists for eligible students who transfer to VCU. Students who pursue a different degree program at VCU will be subject to a reevaluation of transferable credits for their elected course of study. Students interested in this specialization should meet with the Pre-Social Work program head at Reynolds and are required to do so during their first semester of study.

Laurel Ridge Community College

Programs

Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts

Associate of Art

Designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a baccalaureate degree program, usually the Bachelor of Arts degree, in the liberal arts or social sciences.

Uniform Certificate of General Studies

Certificate

This certification is designed to provide people with basic writing, math, and computer skills.

Associate of Science Degree in General Studies

Associate of Science

No declaration of a specialized major subject field in the general studies curriculum is required. The general studies curriculum is flexible. Some graduates satisfy their goals by completing the two-year program of general academic studies. Most general studies students plan to transfer to a four-year college or university as more specialized academic interests and aptitudes develop during the program of studies. The framework of academic standards for the associate of sciences degree makes this possible.

Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences

Associate of Science

The AS Social Sciences degree creates the foundation for a Bachelor of Science degree in majors like administration of justice, communications, history, economics, political science, pre-law, psychology, and sociology. The Social Sciences program is designed to provide transfer paths that will match the general education requirements of four-year colleges and universities; however, institutions often differ in their requirements, so students are strongly encouraged to work with their academic advisor and to familiarize themselves with the requirements of the major department in the college or university to which they plan to transfer.

Mountain Gateway Community College

Programs

Northern Virginia Community College

Programs

Education, A.S.

Associate of Science

Purpose This curriculum prepares students to transfer to any four-year college or university teacher preparation program. Courses in this degree are designed to satisfy some of the endorsement and professional course requirements of a Virginia teaching license. In EDU 200, students will identify the endorsement (content) courses they need to earn a teaching license. Students should meet with a Teacher Education faculty member or Education Field Placement Coordinator and Advising Specialist to select the correct courses for their area of licensure. EDU 200 and EDU 204 both require 20-hour field placements in a K-12 public school. Students will be required to complete a background check before being placed in the schools. Students with criminal records should consult with the Teacher Education Field Placement Coordinator before enrolling in the courses. Students are strongly encouraged to take the VCLA after completing ENG 111, ENG 112, Eng-literature course, and CST 100 or 110.

General Studies, A.S.

Associate of Science

This program is a flexible associate degree. For students who plan to transfer, the degree can parallel the first two years of a four-year bachelor of science program if they choose courses that match the transfer institution's requirements. For those students who do not plan to transfer, the degree allows them to structure a program to suit their needs using accumulated credits from a variety of formal and experiential sources.

Liberal Arts, A.A.

Associate of Arts

This program is designed for individuals who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor of arts (B.A.).

Social Sciences: Geospatial Specialization, A.S.

Associate of Science

This program is designed to prepare students to transfer into baccalaureate programs in the geospatial or social sciences at a four-year institution. Students will learn theory about geospatial systems and how they are used.

Social Sciences: Political Science Specialization, A.S.

Associate of Science

This program is designed for individuals who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree. Graduates will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities equivalent to students entering the junior level at four-year colleges and universities.

Paul D. Camp Community College

Programs

Rappahannock Community College

Programs

Southside Virginia Community College

Programs

Tidewater Community College

Programs

Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts

Associate of Arts

The Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree program in the liberal arts. Four-year liberal arts programs prepare graduates for a wide variety of jobs in business, the arts, education, medical and legal professions, and in social and public service occupations. Liberal Arts studies emphasize fine arts, language, literature, philosophy, mathematics, science, social science and analytical and critical thinking skills, all of which prepare students for lifelong learning and social, cultural, and technological change.

Courses required for the Liberal Arts degree are available on all four campuses.

Associate of Science - General Studies

Associate of Science

The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in General Studies is a flexible degree that allows students to design a curriculum that meets particular transfer objectives that are not fulfilled by existing TCC transfer programs. The program consists of a number of electives that may be selected in consultation with an advisor or counselor to ensure they will be accepted for the preferred program at the four-year institution they plan to attend.

Courses required for the General Studies degree are available on all four campuses.

Associate of Science - Social Sciences

Associate of Science

The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Social Sciences is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a baccalaureate degree in one of the social or behavioral sciences. Social Sciences include academic disciplines such as anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, sociology, and psychology. The A.S. in Social Sciences may also prepare students for some teacher certification programs.

Courses required for the Social Sciences degree are available on all four campuses.

Virginia Peninsula Community College

Programs

Virginia Western Community College

Programs

Wytheville Community College

Programs