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Sociology research assistant vs clinical research associate

The differences between sociology research assistants and clinical research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a sociology research assistant and a clinical research associate. Additionally, a clinical research associate has an average salary of $62,966, which is higher than the $59,218 average annual salary of a sociology research assistant.

The top three skills for a sociology research assistant include SPSS, data analysis and research projects. The most important skills for a clinical research associate are patients, informed consent, and CRA.

Sociology research assistant vs clinical research associate overview

Sociology Research AssistantClinical Research Associate
Yearly salary$59,218$62,966
Hourly rate$28.47$30.27
Growth rate-6%
Number of jobs46,72194,336
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age3844
Years of experience22

What does a sociology research assistant do?

A sociology research assistant is someone who performs administrative tasks for the success of a sociologist's research project. These tasks include management of databases, collection of data through the conduct of interviews or surveys, and assessment of research papers to make sure that the research is not just repeating existing findings. The requirements to qualify for the position include possessing a bachelor's degree in sociology or a related field and having practical experience as a program assistant.

What does a clinical research associate do?

A clinical research associate is responsible for assisting medical professionals in clinical trials and conducting research studies on medications and medical procedures. Clinical research associates monitor the research materials, ensuring its safety and reliability through trial procedures, writing comprehensive reports of results, and disseminating information across the concerned parties. They also provide recommendations on improving clinical processes, reiterating protocol requirements, and maintaining strict confidentiality of the trial subjects. A clinical research associate must have extensive knowledge of the medical industry, including its disciplines and principles, to perform duties accurately under minimal supervision.

Sociology research assistant vs clinical research associate salary

Sociology research assistants and clinical research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sociology Research AssistantClinical Research Associate
Average salary$59,218$62,966
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $95,000Between $43,000 And $91,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Pharmaceutical

Differences between sociology research assistant and clinical research associate education

There are a few differences between a sociology research assistant and a clinical research associate in terms of educational background:

Sociology Research AssistantClinical Research Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorSociologyBiology
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Sociology research assistant vs clinical research associate demographics

Here are the differences between sociology research assistants' and clinical research associates' demographics:

Sociology Research AssistantClinical Research Associate
Average age3844
Gender ratioMale, 30.6% Female, 69.4%Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 11.7% White, 54.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 13.0% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage8%9%

Differences between sociology research assistant and clinical research associate duties and responsibilities

Sociology research assistant example responsibilities.

  • Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
  • Compose and submit IRB proposal.
  • Train students how to use SPSS and NVivo software.
  • Collaborate on database creation utilizing SPSS.
  • Guide the technical implementation of an automate analysis system (electrophoresis station), with the enhancement of its operational efficiency.
  • Utilize GIS mapping to quantify and visually display various health reports for national policy briefs.
  • Show more

Clinical research associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage, schedule and train up to 15 CRAs.
  • Recruit patients, attain patient inform consent form, educate subjects on compliance, and ensure patient safety per ICH guidelines.
  • Manage site TMF to ensure communication requirements adherence
  • Manage CRO and regional monitor to complete close out activities, including device accountability management.
  • Manage regional academic and community base oncology practices as the primary contact for all communications and support.
  • Manage the monitoring CRO and the data clean-up efforts for a 510k submission and interim/annual study reports by effectively collaborating cross-functionally.
  • Show more

Sociology research assistant vs clinical research associate skills

Common sociology research assistant skills
  • SPSS, 21%
  • Data Analysis, 15%
  • Research Projects, 12%
  • Data Collection, 12%
  • Comprehensive Literature Review, 8%
  • Quantitative Data, 5%
Common clinical research associate skills
  • Patients, 9%
  • Informed Consent, 7%
  • CRA, 6%
  • Clinical Trials, 6%
  • Clinical Trial Management, 5%
  • Oncology, 4%

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