What does a research writer do?
Research writers are professionals who conduct extensive research by taking complex information and then explaining it in lay terminology. These writers are required to conduct extensive research on various topics based on the requests of their clients to write keyword articles for search engine optimization (SEO). They must work with a wide variety of clients who specialize in web content to complete strategic research and content creation projects. Research writers must also manage research projects for companies, local and overseas.
Research writer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real research writer resumes:
- Manage the proposal lifecycle, including RFP analysis, regular communications, proposal development and production consistent with branding strategies.
- Upload content and photos on Wordpress and create SEO meta descriptions.
- Recognize by audience as thought leader in NFL coverage and commentary.
- Assist the editor-in-chief with expanding the team of contributing writers to attract readers.
- Proofread and spell check written content, review articles, videos, and books regarding the given topic.
- Research various topics base on clients requests in order to write keyword articles for search engine optimization (SEO).
- Write articles for the college magazine that are then publish and send out to alumni and donors to the college.
- Proofread marketing materials and publications.
- Create PowerPoint presentation and present findings.
- Conduct interviews with professionals including professors and alumni.
- Develop training guides, PowerPoint presentations, and facilitate workshops
- Write articles focusing on beauty, lifestyle, employment and finance while featuring up-and-coming entertainers and designers
- Pitch, write and photograph audience-aligned content, which are centered on the European-American luxury lifestyle in the greater Chicago area
- Focuse on political negotiations, country demographics, and policy research for inform editorial coverage of international negotiations.
- Handle multiple editorial and programming responsibilities concurrently, independently, and under strict deadlines in an evolving environment.
Research writer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Research Writers are proficient in Research Topics, Press Releases, and Editorials. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Imagination, and Teamwork.
We break down the percentage of Research Writers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Research Topics, 15%
Research topics associated with property management, Compose articles to be presented at conferences by AMG president.
- Press Releases, 13%
Generated web content, blog and print magazine articles, press releases, resumes, and cover letters.
- Editorials, 8%
Focused on political negotiations, country demographics, and policy research for informed editorial coverage of international negotiations.
- Web Content, 6%
Completed strategic research and content creation projects for a wide variety of clients, specializing in web content and strategy.
- Conduct Research, 6%
Conduct research into potential cases including the Lumber Liquidators litigation.
- Oral Histories, 4%
Gathered oral histories and conducted interviews for various historical documents.
Common skills that a research writer uses to do their job include "research topics," "press releases," and "editorials." You can find details on the most important research writer responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a research writer to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "technical writers create instructions for others to follow." Research writers often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "served as project manager for detailed research projects to provide cutting edge research to establish better services for our clients. "
Imagination. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling research writer duties is imagination. The role rewards competence in this skill because "technical writers must think about a procedure or product as if they are someone who does not have technical knowledge." According to a research writer resume, here's how research writers can utilize imagination in their job responsibilities: "write creative and accurate executive summaries, powerpoint presentations and investment briefs. "
Teamwork. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of research writers is teamwork. This skill is critical to many everyday research writer duties, as "technical writers must be able to work well with other writers, designers, editors, illustrators, and the technical workers whose procedure or product they are explaining." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "obtained 3.000 new earth website hits and developed a teamwork system for managing writers via facebook. "
Technical skills. A big part of what research writers do relies on "technical skills." You can see how essential it is to research writer responsibilities because "technical writers must be able to understand complex information." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical research writer tasks: "oversee data collection and management, and create write technical manuals. "
Writing skills. A commonly-found skill in research writer job descriptions, "writing skills" is essential to what research writers do. Research writer responsibilities rely on this skill because "technical communicators must have excellent writing skills to be able to explain technical information clearly." You can also see how research writer duties rely on writing skills in this resume example: "content development: field research and photography, content writing and editing. "
The three companies that hire the most research writers are:
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital4 research writers jobs
- Columbia University in the City of New York2 research writers jobs
- The University of Kansas1 research writers jobs
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Compare different research writers
Research writer vs. Journalist
A journalist is responsible for creating written correspondence, covering various subjects as the management requires. This task involves a lot of research investigations, conducting interviews, and gathering reliable sources to verify the authenticity of data before releasing the articles on news portals and other social platforms. Journalists should have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, conveying information to the target audience with high accuracy and efficiency. They analyze opinions and testimonies, create eye-catching headlines, and ensure adherence to deadlines.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, research writer responsibilities require skills like "research topics," "conduct research," "oral histories," and "proofread." Meanwhile a typical journalist has skills in areas such as "excellent interpersonal," "multimedia," "story development," and "local community." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Journalists really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $64,488. Comparatively, research writers tend to make the most money in the non profits industry with an average salary of $61,436.On average, journalists reach lower levels of education than research writers. Journalists are 6.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 3.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Research writer vs. Editorial internship
An editorial intern is responsible for assisting the editorial team in publishing digital and media content, writing articles, and managing readers' reviews. Editorial interns must have excellent knowledge of the industry they work for, suggesting the latest trends and featured topics, taking notes of the tenured employees' advice and observations, and actively joining brainstorming sessions. An editorial intern must be detail-oriented and take constructive feedback as an opportunity to learn. It is also crucial to have outstanding communication and proofreading skills and keep all the materials confidential until release.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, research writer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "research topics," "conduct research," "oral histories," and "proofread." Meanwhile, an editorial internship has duties that require skills in areas such as "fact-check," "editorial intern," "twitter," and "instagram." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Editorial interns earn a lower average salary than research writers. But editorial interns earn the highest pay in the media industry, with an average salary of $33,508. Additionally, research writers earn the highest salaries in the non profits with average pay of $61,436 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Editorial interns tend to reach lower levels of education than research writers. In fact, they're 11.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for research writers in the next 3-5 years?
Bradley Shreve
Editor, Tribal College Journal
Research writer vs. Editor
An editor is the one responsible for polishing and refining a story, article, and any material for publication in newspapers, magazines, books, or websites. Editors have the power to either accept or reject a material as they need to ensure that every manuscript which will be offered for publishing is at the best version as it can be. There are several types of editors, from copy editors, books to managing editors, but they have few skills in common, like strong writing skills, good judgment, and leadership abilities to help guide the whole editorial team. Most of them work in the office, but it is quite becoming more regular for them to work remotely.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, research writers are more likely to have skills like "research topics," "conduct research," "oral histories," and "proofread." But a editor is more likely to have skills like "video content," "facebook," "editor-in-chief," and "twitter."
Editors make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $62,170. On the other hand, research writers are paid the highest salary in the non profits industry, with average annual pay of $61,436.When it comes to education, editors tend to earn lower degree levels compared to research writers. In fact, they're 7.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Research writer vs. Associate editor
The primary role of an Associate Editor is to ensure that subordinates submit high-quality content. They review and edit copies, set deadlines, and supervise the production details of magazines, newspapers, books, or websites.
Types of research writer
Updated January 8, 2025
