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Social research assistant vs student research assistant

The differences between social research assistants and student research assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a social research assistant and a student research assistant. Additionally, a social research assistant has an average salary of $52,089, which is higher than the $27,475 average annual salary of a student research assistant.

The top three skills for a social research assistant include social work, data entry and SPSS. The most important skills for a student research assistant are lab equipment, student research, and data collection.

Social research assistant vs student research assistant overview

Social Research AssistantStudent Research Assistant
Yearly salary$52,089$27,475
Hourly rate$25.04$13.21
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs74,38559,758
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

What does a social research assistant do?

Social Research Assistants are responsible for providing support to social scientists in the area of surveys, laboratory work, and other related social research. Their duties include editing and submitting research documentation, acquiring research subjects' consent, preparing reports, managing databases, designing survey instruments, filter subject suitability, track participant's progress, manage laboratory resources and conduct data entry work. They also assist in research findings presentation, administer surveys, collect specimens, perform statistical analyses, supervise standardized testing, manage scheduling and recruitment of participants, and participate in basic researching.

What does a student research assistant do?

A student research assistant is responsible for supporting the school's research department on conducting various research tasks using the techniques and resources provided by the supervising faculty. Student research assistants collect and verify research data, interpret and document findings using research methodologies, organize and prepare research materials, write research reports, and provide recommendations to improve research strategies and techniques. A student research assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to multitask and be a fast-learner to interpret data within a specific time.

Social research assistant vs student research assistant salary

Social research assistants and student research assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Social Research AssistantStudent Research Assistant
Average salary$52,089$27,475
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $83,000Between $19,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAFairbanks, AK
Highest paying stateNew JerseyMassachusetts
Best paying companyNew York UniversityGoogle
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between social research assistant and student research assistant education

There are a few differences between a social research assistant and a student research assistant in terms of educational background:

Social Research AssistantStudent Research Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 77%
Most common majorPsychologyBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborHarvard University

Social research assistant vs student research assistant demographics

Here are the differences between social research assistants' and student research assistants' demographics:

Social Research AssistantStudent Research Assistant
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 32.6% Female, 67.4%Male, 44.1% Female, 55.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 11.3% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between social research assistant and student research assistant duties and responsibilities

Social research assistant example responsibilities.

  • Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
  • Perform statistical analysis on SPSS and summarize results in weekly reports.
  • Code the data receive and analyze the results with SPSS to draw conclusions about significant findings.
  • Prepare IRB applications and renewals for participating care facilities.
  • Guide the technical implementation of an automate analysis system (electrophoresis station), with the enhancement of its operational efficiency.
  • Calculate the GDP of each state.
  • Show more

Student research assistant example responsibilities.

  • Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
  • Perform PCR amplification and electrophoresis.
  • Prepare agarose gels for electrophoresis and sequencing.
  • Perform biological experiments which provide data for further DNA analysis.
  • Provide DNA sequencing and primer support study transposition in tobacco/tomato root development.
  • Experience gain in polymer chemistry, polymer physics, material characterization, photo-polymerization techniques.
  • Show more

Social research assistant vs student research assistant skills

Common social research assistant skills
  • Social Work, 12%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • SPSS, 6%
  • Research Assistants, 6%
  • Statistical Analysis, 6%
  • Literature Reviews, 5%
Common student research assistant skills
  • Lab Equipment, 10%
  • Student Research, 9%
  • Data Collection, 8%
  • Research Projects, 7%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 7%
  • C++, 4%

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