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What does a research analyst do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Katherine Wiley Ph.D.
What does a research analyst do

A research analyst is responsible for providing a company with insights and advice concerning finance, investments, and expenditures. Utilizing their analytical skills and extensive expertise in marketing, they analyze the trends and significant factors to conclude which decision should be the best to make. They can also take part in conducting an in-depth analysis of a business and examine which areas require improvement or has potential. Furthermore, they may work with a company or independently as a freelance analyst.

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Research analyst responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real research analyst resumes:

  • Develop VBA to automate the analysis of website data, which save staff labor time.
  • Manage medication studies, and ensury clinical trial centers conduct studies in accordance with GCP standards.
  • Manage project team meetings using SharePoint calendars.
  • Work with engineering teams to troubleshoot issues.
  • Design and code windows in PowerBuilder for EMPRV application.
  • Assist with ongoing implementation of POS and PC systems for upgrades and new locations.
  • Extract webpage API by the using python, and test API dependency with classification algorithm.
  • Perform assays of routine and non-routine stability samples of various drug delivery formulations by HPLC.
  • Conduct data analytics to historical data of crew scheduling with advance VBA programming and scripting language.
  • Update and maintain internal SQL database consisting of thousands of candidates, companies, positions and current searches.
  • Create multiple layers of logic in Qualtrics and collect and analyze data through conjoint analysis and multiple regression.
  • Report development and data visualization can include tabular reporting, graphic analysis to include charts, graphs and maps.
  • Conduct research focuse on macro environment, equity and bond markets, asset flows, and hedge fund industry.
  • Utilize Qualtrics to create and program the surveys and excel to provide the analysis need for valuable decision making.
  • Improve effectiveness and relevance of client s website or landing page leveraging online analytic tools, SEM and SEO.

Research analyst skills and personality traits

We calculated that 6% of Research Analysts are proficient in Data Analysis, Data Collection, and Research Projects. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Research Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Data Analysis, 6%

    Prepared data analysis for completed test records/ participants along with assisting in the preparation and refinement of audit work programs.

  • Data Collection, 6%

    Managed the execution of primary research projects from questionnaire development, supervised data collection and data tabulation, and prepared reports.

  • Research Projects, 5%

    Completed series of research projects which allowed company to redesign suture packaging, eliminating waste which created significant savings.

  • PowerPoint, 5%

    Assisted economists in preparing PowerPoint presentations, vulnerability monitors, economic outlook assessments, and staff reports for their respective countries.

  • Market Research, 4%

    Conducted and analyzed qualitative and quantitative market research for national advertising clients of The Martin Agency and other leading advertising agencies.

  • Python, 4%

    Performed data extraction and statistical analysis of legal texts using custom designed and developed Python code.

Common skills that a research analyst uses to do their job include "data analysis," "data collection," and "research projects." You can find details on the most important research analyst responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a research analyst to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "market research analysts must evaluate large amounts of data and information related to market conditions." Research analysts often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "streamlined quality checking of custom reports based on data derived frommedia research to improve efficiency. "

Communication skills. Many research analyst duties rely on communication skills. "market research analysts must be able to clearly convey information when gathering material, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients.," so a research analyst will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways research analyst responsibilities rely on communication skills: "provided communications to internal field force concerning manager updates, due diligence action, and quarterly commentary on investment option performance. "

Detail oriented. This is an important skill for research analysts to perform their duties. For an example of how research analyst responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "market research analysts must pay attention to minutiae to evaluate data." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a research analyst: "conducted detailed financial analysis and made investment recommendations to portfolio managers. ".

See the full list of research analyst skills

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Research analyst vs. Analyst internship

An analyst internship is a student program where an intern is assigned to assist analyst professionals by analyzing business goals, objectives, and needs. Analyst interns assist in the planning and designing of business processes and suggest recommendations for improvement. They conduct research and analysis to support business operations and resolve issues using systems and data. They also help estimate the costs and benefits of multiple business actions and help the business organization launch new initiatives.

We looked at the average research analyst salary and compared it with the wages of an analyst internship. Generally speaking, analyst interns are paid $31,663 lower than research analysts per year.Even though research analysts and analyst interns are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require data analysis, data collection, and market research in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, research analyst responsibilities require skills like "research projects," "powerpoint," "healthcare," and "visualization." Meanwhile a typical analyst internship has skills in areas such as "c++," "windows," "client portfolios," and "sql server." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Analyst interns really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $41,723. Comparatively, research analysts tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $101,433.analyst interns tend to reach similar levels of education than research analysts. In fact, analyst interns are 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.6% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Research analyst vs. Data analyst internship

A data analyst internship involves a trainee who wants to gain working experience in the field of information technology (IT) by assisting data analyst professionals. Data analyst interns should examine information using data analysis tools so that they can help their employers make important decisions by identifying various facts and trends. They write reports and present them to the management to provide new insights about new trends and areas for improvement. Data analyst interns can find work in areas such as banks, specialist software development companies, and consultancies.

A career as a data analyst internship brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a research analyst. In fact, data analyst interns salary is $31,480 lower than the salary of research analysts per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both research analysts and data analyst interns have skills such as "data analysis," "data collection," and "market research. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real research analyst resumes. While research analyst responsibilities can utilize skills like "research projects," "powerpoint," "data entry," and "healthcare," data analyst interns use skills like "java," "power bi," "data analytics," and "data extraction."

On average, data analyst interns earn a lower salary than research analysts. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, data analyst interns earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $47,252. Whereas research analysts have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $101,433.data analyst interns earn similar levels of education than research analysts in general. They're 4.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for research analysts in the next 3-5 years?

Katherine Wiley Ph.D.Katherine Wiley Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor,, Pacific Lutheran University

Anthropology is a broad field, so this depends a bit on what areas students are working in, but being able to work with quantitative data, as well as to conduct qualitative research, will certainly be important. If it's available at their universities, students might also take advantage of learning particular programs like GIS mapping software or software used for data analysis. But a lot of things will stay the same. Employers will still need graduates who can communicate well with clients, through written and oral forms, and who have a sensitivity to diversity. And anthropologists are great at all of these things!

Research analyst vs. Analyst sales

Analyst sales, or a sales analyst, is an individual who is responsible for increasing sales and revenue of a company by running competitive analysis and making recommendations on how the marketing and sales team should move forward. Sales analysts must assist in the review of monthly financial statements and prepare complex financial statements for retail and service businesses. They develop and provide market intelligence data solutions for the sales team to maximize territory sales efforts. Sales analysts must also maintain a business relationship with key account top management to deliver outstanding customer service and assistance.

On average scale, analyst sales bring in lower salaries than research analysts. In fact, they earn a $1,139 lower salary per year.research analysts and analyst sales both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "data analysis," "market research," and "visualization," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, research analysts are more likely to have skills like "data collection," "research projects," "powerpoint," and "python." But a analyst sales is more likely to have skills like "salesforce," "crm," "sales data," and "pos."

Analyst sales earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $80,458. Research analysts earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $101,433.When it comes to education, analyst sales tend to earn lower degree levels compared to research analysts. In fact, they're 7.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Research analyst vs. Market analyst internship

When it comes to a marketing analyst internship, an intern primarily follows a senior or a more experienced officer's directives. Most of their tasks will revolve around processing paperwork, maintaining records and databases, participating in research and analyses, and assisting senior analysts in various projects. There are also instances where they can attend meetings, participate in social media handling, and even share marketing insights. Furthermore, as an intern, it is essential to learn and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.

Market analyst interns average a lower salary than the annual salary of research analysts. The difference is about $6,756 per year.While their salaries may vary, research analysts and market analyst interns both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "data analysis," "data collection," and "powerpoint. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A research analyst uses "research projects," "python," "healthcare," and "visualization." Market analyst interns are more likely to have duties that require skills in "capital markets," "market intelligence," "market strategy," and "tableau. "The average resume of market analyst interns showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to research analysts. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 2.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 1.8%.

Types of research analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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