What does a research consultant do?
A research consultant is an individual who is responsible for collecting and analyzing multiple types of data across a variety of formats and present research reports for research and analytics companies, public institutions, and private businesses. Research consultants are required to design research strategies to complete the needs of research projects as well as create a basic plan of action for finding data. They may use online resources, phone surveys, and other data-collection methods to find and collect data. Research consultants must also assign investigative teams to verify and double-check the collected data.
Research consultant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real research consultant resumes:
- Lead research team in IRB transition from traditional hard copy submission to electronic submission.
- Develop an SQL solution to automate performance attribution reports.
- Attain and practice medical insurance information rapidly and correctly; including main carriers and Medicaid.
- Design and oversee implementation of decision-analytic models and database analyses using SAS, SPSS, and STATA.
- Pull, merge data by using SAS, and assign tags.
- Isolate, purify and quantify DNA from human blood.
- Used SQL to retrieve pertinent information for equity research reports.
- Perform DNA purification via HPLC and cartridge for custom primers.
- Certify animal user for research facility, mouse genotyping, mouse surgeries.
- Coordinate customer recruitment, support and training for web-base NIH grant submission service.
- Train staff, explain to management & field sales force the importance of data visualization.
- Research and development of healthcare plans to promote health care prevention for insure client members.
- Script STATA, VBA, and Matlab financial models to analyze trends in public sector expenditure.
- Assist in preparation of reports for NIOSH, NIMH, and NIH grant applications and renewals.
- Input, analyze and interpret data using SPSS, assist with the presentation of data within dissertations.
Research consultant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Research Consultants are proficient in Data Collection, Medicaid, and Business Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Research Consultants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Data Collection, 12%
Conducted all aspects of qualitative data collection and analysis; including, facilitation and conducting all focus group and face-face interviews.
- Medicaid, 8%
Attained and practiced medical insurance information rapidly and correctly; including main carriers and Medicaid.
- Business Development, 6%
Contracted for qualitative research and business development projects: Strategy workshop facilitation, online focus group moderation and analysis of findings.
- Study Design, 5%
Provided qualitative Input to study design, data management, analysis and interpretation.
- Data Analysis, 5%
Perform data analysis and provide descriptive research results to assist in providing strategic reports for individual client needs and public dissemination.
- Survey Design, 5%
Conducted survey design consultation and transcription on health-care policy research relevant to the 2008 presidential election.
Most research consultants use their skills in "data collection," "medicaid," and "business development" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential research consultant responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for a research consultant to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role because "market research analysts must pay attention to minutiae to evaluate data." Additionally, a research consultant resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "contributed to a results-oriented evaluation of current programs to reduce obesity stigma in medicaid policies. "
Analytical skills. Many research consultant duties rely on analytical skills. "market research analysts must evaluate large amounts of data and information related to market conditions.," so a research consultant will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways research consultant responsibilities rely on analytical skills: "experience with fda compliance, clinical applicability, and cost-benefit analysis. "
Communication skills. This is an important skill for research consultants to perform their duties. For an example of how research consultant responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "market research analysts must be able to clearly convey information when gathering material, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a research consultant: "conduct pre-ind meetings and telecommunication with fda officials to ensure compliance with federal regulations and to facilitate smooth approval process. ".
The three companies that hire the most research consultants are:
- Wells Fargo186 research consultants jobs
- CoStar Group8 research consultants jobs
- University of Washington8 research consultants jobs
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Compare different research consultants
Research consultant vs. Market researcher
In businesses, a market researcher is primarily responsible for performing market research and analysis. Although the extent of their duties usually depends on their place of employment, it typically includes coordinating with other experts, gathering and analyzing data, identifying new business opportunities, studying market activities, creating questionnaires, and developing test structures. Through their research findings, they must produce detailed reports and presentations for managers and even executives. Furthermore, as a market researcher, it is essential to understand the company's needs, including its vision and mission.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between research consultants and market researcher. For instance, research consultant responsibilities require skills such as "human centered design," "medicaid," "study design," and "prototype testing." Whereas a market researcher is skilled in "primary research," "facebook," "outbound calls," and "qualtrics." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Market researchers really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $74,795. Comparatively, research consultants tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $95,057.The education levels that market researchers earn slightly differ from research consultants. In particular, market researchers are 11.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a research consultant. Additionally, they're 7.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research consultant vs. Marketing research internship
A marketing research intern assists a company with its marketing and advertising efforts. They are responsible for collecting data on consumers and competitors, consolidating information into an actionable report, designing the data collection methods to find out customer preferences, managing a company's social media accounts, writing content for marketing material, and offer administrative support to members of the marketing team through tasks like drafting memos.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, research consultant responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "human centered design," "medicaid," "study design," and "prototype testing." Meanwhile, a marketing research internship has duties that require skills in areas such as "instagram," "facebook," "email campaigns," and "press releases." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Marketing research interns tend to reach lower levels of education than research consultants. In fact, they're 12.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 7.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for research consultants in the next 3-5 years?
Kara Glenn
Co-Director of Imagewest and Professional-in-Residence, Western Kentucky University
Research consultant vs. Market research internship
A Market Research Intern is responsible for conducting data and statistical analysis to evaluate market performance and identify opportunities to generate profits. Market Research Interns perform administrative duties under the supervision of a market research manager, such as writing and filing reports, organizing documents, researching trends, and designing participant surveys. A Market Research Intern must have excellent communication and analytical skills, especially in collecting accurate data and interpreting results.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, research consultants are more likely to have skills like "human centered design," "medicaid," "study design," and "prototype testing." But a market research internship is more likely to have skills like "market trends," "financial statements," "primary research," and "salesforce."
When it comes to education, market research interns tend to earn lower degree levels compared to research consultants. In fact, they're 9.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 8.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Research consultant vs. Marketing and communication consultant
Types of research consultant
Updated January 8, 2025
