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Sociology research assistant vs laboratory research assistant

The differences between sociology research assistants and laboratory 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 sociology research assistant and a laboratory research assistant. Additionally, a sociology research assistant has an average salary of $59,218, which is higher than the $36,537 average annual salary of a laboratory research assistant.

The top three skills for a sociology research assistant include SPSS, data analysis and research projects. The most important skills for a laboratory research assistant are data collection, patients, and laboratory equipment.

Sociology research assistant vs laboratory research assistant overview

Sociology Research AssistantLaboratory Research Assistant
Yearly salary$59,218$36,537
Hourly rate$28.47$17.57
Growth rate-17%
Number of jobs46,72187,343
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age3838
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 laboratory research assistant do?

A laboratory research assistant is an individual who performs lab experiments and carries out projects designed by senior lab staff members. Laboratory research assistants design and conduct experiments using biohazards and other dangerous materials to gain information and test scientific processes. They must write detailed reports of their research and experiments and then deliver these reports in written and verbal forms. Laboratory research assistants may also work in different settings such as medical facilities and pharmaceutical companies.

Sociology research assistant vs laboratory research assistant salary

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

Sociology Research AssistantLaboratory Research Assistant
Average salary$59,218$36,537
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $95,000Between $24,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-New York University
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between sociology research assistant and laboratory research assistant education

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

Sociology Research AssistantLaboratory Research Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorSociologyBiology
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Sociology research assistant vs laboratory research assistant demographics

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

Sociology Research AssistantLaboratory Research Assistant
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 30.6% Female, 69.4%Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8%
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, 8.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 16.6% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between sociology research assistant and laboratory research assistant 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

Laboratory research assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage participant records according to IRB guidelines to ensure confidentiality.
  • Lead experiments to assess survivor behavior differences in zebrafish contaminate with dietary mercury.
  • Maintain microbial culture and isolate and purify bacterial and viral DNA and RNA to study the genome of common pathogenic bacteria.
  • Perform protein extraction on larvae.
  • Perform biological assays, including ELISA and RT-PCR.
  • Gain extensive MLST, RT-PCR, conventional PCR, primer design and gel-electrophoresis experience.
  • Show more

Sociology research assistant vs laboratory research assistant 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 laboratory research assistant skills
  • Data Collection, 5%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 5%
  • Lab Procedures, 5%
  • Laboratory Techniques, 5%
  • Molecular Biology, 4%

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