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Video Transcript

A desire to understand human behavior drives the work of social science research assistants. They study the way people interact, make decisions, and respond to their environments. The work of social science research assistants helps us gain insight into how people look at the world, and can help solve social problems in organizations, communities, and countries. Social science research assistants help social scientists conduct research in laboratories, conduct surveys, and categorize data. They also help prepare graphs, reports and presentations, and document findings for publication. They need strong skills in programming, data entry and validation, and statistical analysis. They also need to communicate effectively with a variety of people, including co-workers, supervisors, and research participants. About half of social science research assistants work at colleges and universities. Other major employers include scientific research and development services, government, and social advocacy organizations. Most social science research assistant positions require a bachelor's degree. Some positions also require several years of related work experience.