Social science research assistant
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work regular business hours
- Usually work in offices, research facilities and laboratories and may travel
- Need to be practical, accurate and identify and solve problems
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Help social scientists with research planning
- Collect information about people
- Give people behavioural and health tests
- Develop and use scientific computer programs
- Build and use research databases
- Prepare scientific reports and presentations
- Prepare documents for laws and regulations
- Manage project resources
Outlook
Social science research is helping New Zealand understand issues such as housing, education, health, work and social wellbeing. Government agencies, universities and community organisations increasingly use survey data, administrative data and community engagement to guide decisions. Digital tools and artificial intelligence can speed up data processing, but privacy, ethics and careful interpretation remain essential. Opportunities often depend on project and research funding.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Strong research, reading and critical-thinking skills
- Ability to collect, organise and check information carefully
- Confidence using spreadsheets, survey tools or basic data-analysis software
- Clear writing and ability to summarise findings
- Respect for research ethics, privacy and informed consent
- Ability to work collaboratively and meet project deadlines
AUT programmes
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.