What does a research methodologist do?
Research methodologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real research methodologist resumes:
- Manage investigator initiate and cooperative group correlative studies to identify biomarkers to ascertain tumor burden and clinical outcomes in lymphoma.
- Produce weekly industry updates and help to prepare initiation of coverage on new companies and create PowerPoint presentations for analyst marketing.
- Contribute to management of patient samples, database, and analysis of patient data for developing biomarkers and understanding cancer biology.
Research methodologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 63% of Research Methodologists are proficient in SAS, Research Methods, and Stata. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Research Methodologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- SAS, 63%
Performed multivariate analysis using SAS, SPSS or Harris Interactive software.
- Research Methods, 19%
Provided training in research methods and analyses for market research team.
- Stata, 16%
Managed databases, analyzed data in STATA, and summarized relevant findings for partners.
- Statistical Methods, 1%
Applied statistical methods to analysis and interpret data.
Most research methodologists use their skills in "sas," "research methods," and "stata" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential research methodologist responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a research methodologist to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "survey researchers must be able to apply statistical techniques to large amounts of data and interpret the results correctly." Research methodologists often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "integrated self and took significant responsibility in data delivery for a complicated, flagship project, the national immunization survey. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling research methodologist duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "survey researchers must pay attention to details, because survey results depend on collecting, analyzing, and reporting the data accurately." According to a research methodologist resume, here's how research methodologists can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "detail oriented and excellent organizational skills. "
Problem-solving skills. research methodologists are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to research methodologist responsibilities, because "survey researchers need problem-solving skills when identifying survey design issues, adjusting survey questions, and interpreting survey results." A research methodologist resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "partner with software engineers to incorporate research and analytical solutions into software. "
Communication skills. A big part of what research methodologists do relies on "communication skills." You can see how essential it is to research methodologist responsibilities because "survey researchers need strong communication skills when conducting surveys and interpreting and presenting results to clients." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical research methodologist tasks: "performed preliminary research into analyzing the communication vectors of leukemic patients immune systems for possible clinical applications. "
The three companies that hire the most research methodologists are:
- Bluehawk Consulting3 research methodologists jobs
- BAE Systems2 research methodologists jobs
- West Virginia University2 research methodologists jobs
Compare different research methodologists
Research methodologist vs. Survey questionnaire designer
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, research methodologist responsibilities require skills like "sas," "research methods," "stata," and "statistical methods." Meanwhile a typical survey questionnaire designer has skills in areas such as "civil 3d," "legal descriptions," "gps," and "lot surveys." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, survey questionnaire designers reach similar levels of education than research methodologists. Survey questionnaire designers are 1.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 25.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Research methodologist vs. Survey operations director
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that research methodologist responsibilities requires skills like "sas," "research methods," "stata," and "statistical methods." But a survey operations director might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "data collection," "survey operations," "qc," and "survey data."
In general, survey operations directors achieve similar levels of education than research methodologists. They're 0.3% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 25.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research methodologist vs. Pollster
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a research methodologist is likely to be skilled in "sas," "research methods," "stata," and "statistical methods," while a typical pollster is skilled in "conduct surveys," "survey completion," "telephone surveys," and "phone interviews."
Pollsters typically earn similar educational levels compared to research methodologists. Specifically, they're 4.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 26.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research methodologist vs. Survey analyst
Updated January 8, 2025
