What does a social scientist do?
A social scientist conducts studies and spearheads research projects that focus on society and human behavior. Although the extent of their responsibilities varies upon their industry or institution of employment, it usually includes planning procedures according to research requirements, identifying and coordinating with research subjects, conducting surveys and interviews, and gathering and analyzing various data. Through the findings of their research, a social scientist generates conclusions and recommendations that will determine or support future efforts. When it comes to employment, a social scientist may work for government agencies, private companies, facilities, or even become an instructor at learning institutions.
Social scientist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real social scientist resumes:
- Manage process optimization, scale-up, technology transfer and validation of SUSTIVA (TM) product-line to manufacturing facility.
- Lead people-focused research for first-of-its-kind technical project integrating GIS, scientific, and qualitative data.
- Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
- Advise on providing grants to businesses and infrastructure.
- Represent the PRT commander at regional female shuras.
- Provide ethnic, language and cultural expertise to PRT constituents.
- Develop inclusion and exclusion criteria for systematic review of HIV/AIDS prevention among APIs in the U.S.
- Base on the result, a new NIH grant are funded to study NK cell activation.
- Update CIDNE and other DOD databases, structure research designs to fit into current knowledge management structures.
- Develop and conduct a comprehensive systematic search strategy for systematic review of HIV/AIDS prevention among APIs in the U.S.
- Design, plan, and conduct workshops, seminars, briefs, and training curriculum for U.S. Military and HTS personnel.
- Supervise development of VAX simulations.
- Represent HTS at national and international conferences.
- Prioritize and categorize request for information, collating multi-discipline analyses of complex social, economic and political paradigms.
- Construct a multiple regression statistics model to analyze the impact of personality types on happiness level of European citizens.
Social scientist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 26% of Social Scientists are proficient in Statistical Analysis, Data Collection, and Social Science Research.
We break down the percentage of Social Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Statistical Analysis, 26%
Conducted statistical analysis at varying levels of complexity that is used for NATO and ISAF forces.
- Data Collection, 14%
Design data collection and analysis protocols; furnish actionable recommendations to answer commander s Priority Information Requirements.
- Social Science Research, 13%
Invited by the Human Terrain System to present on Social Science Research in Afghanistan at nationwide social science convention in Kabul.
- Data Analysis, 11%
Provide qualitative and quantitative data analysis focusing on commercial sentiments and trends.
- Communicate Research Findings, 10%
Worked with PRT constituents and team to develop the most effective products and presentations to communicate research findings and recommendations.
- Quantitative Data, 9%
Analyzed this qualitative and quantitative data and provided reports and briefings to relevant counterparts.
Most social scientists use their skills in "statistical analysis," "data collection," and "social science research" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential social scientist responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a social scientist to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what social scientists do because "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Additionally, a social scientist resume shows how social scientists use communication skills: "led afrl crisis action team in sustaining a 24/7 information center optimizing mission and communications for over 200 unit personnel. "
Observation skills. Another essential skill to perform social scientist duties is observation skills. Social scientists responsibilities require that "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." Social scientists also use observation skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "perform extensive fieldwork and data collection outside the wire, focusing on primary data and associated windshield ethnographic observations. "
The three companies that hire the most social scientists are:
- Booz Allen Hamilton2 social scientists jobs
- ManTech2 social scientists jobs
- Country-Wide Insurance1 social scientists jobs
Compare different social scientists
Social scientist vs. Jury consultant
A Psychometrician specializes in performing various psychological tests under the supervision of a psychologist. They work together to develop tests that will measure multiple aspects such as emotional and intelligence quotient, verify test reliability, and analyze test results from clients. Their responsibilities often include establishing test schedules with clients, preparing testing facilities, administering instruments, and helping clients understand the extent of procedures and tests. Moreover, a Psychometrician must facilitate tests, all while enforcing policies and regulations.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a social scientist are more likely to require skills like "statistical analysis," "data collection," "social science research," and "communicate research findings." On the other hand, a job as a jury consultant requires skills like "litigation," "criminal cases," "defense counsel," and "facilitate projects." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Jury consultants tend to reach similar levels of education than social scientists. In fact, jury consultants are 4.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.4% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Social scientist vs. Psychometrician
A psychometrist is responsible for conducting psychological examinations to identify the patients' medical conditions and disabilities and develop treatment plans. Psychometrists also perform counseling and record the conditional progress of the patients with the supervision of a licensed psychologist. They manage information of the patients, administer medications, and process payments. A psychometrist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as extensive knowledge of the mental health industry to assist patients and provide them the highest quality care services.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, social scientist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "statistical analysis," "social science research," "communicate research findings," and "quantitative data." Meanwhile, a psychometrician has duties that require skills in areas such as "sas," "irt," "classical test theory," and "test analyses." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Psychometricians earn a higher average salary than social scientists. But psychometricians earn the highest pay in the retail industry, with an average salary of $89,093. Additionally, social scientists earn the highest salaries in the government with average pay of $63,896 annually.In general, psychometricians achieve similar levels of education than social scientists. They're 3.7% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 3.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Social scientist vs. Psychometrist
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a social scientist is likely to be skilled in "statistical analysis," "social science research," "data analysis," and "communicate research findings," while a typical psychometrist is skilled in "patients," "test results," "patient care," and "mental health."
Most psychometrists achieve a higher degree level compared to social scientists. For example, they're 6.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 13.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Social scientist vs. Social sciences research scientist
Types of social scientist
Updated January 8, 2025
