Research jobs involve planning, implementing, and analyzing surveys to gauge public opinion, study potential markets, and predict future trends. There are two main categories: research researchers and market research analysts. Survey researchers create and oversee surveys, while market researchers adapt their questions to obtain market-related information. Secondary research jobs include trained interviewers and professional statisticians.
Research research jobs, often linked to market research jobs, often involve research planning, implementation, and analysis. Surveys can be used to gauge public opinion, study potential markets, and predict future trends in public behavior. The two main categories of research jobs are research researchers and market research analysts. Most research jobs are in market research.
Many types of organizations need survey data and analytics. Research researchers are usually hired by universities, governments, political organizations and other social service institutions, while market research analysts are usually hired by corporations and marketing companies. There is often overlap between the two categories of work, meaning that research researchers are sometimes employed by a company and market researchers can work in the social sector.
A basic function of most survey researchers is to create surveys. Researchers first determine the client’s needs based on the required information, budget, and time frame. Survey researchers determine the appropriate format for the survey, which can be implemented over the phone, direct mail, Internet, or in person. The choice of format can affect the length of the survey as well as the types of questions employed. For example, multiple-choice questions rather than open-ended questions might work better in an online survey.
Many survey researchers oversee survey implementation. To do this, they can purchase and implement special computer-assisted interviewing (CAI) software. Researchers can conduct the interviews themselves or use and manage a team of people to administer the survey, particularly if the format requires multiple interviewers. Research researchers, especially those working in academia, can also analyze their own data using statistical formulas.
Market research analysts generally create and conduct surveys like research researchers do, but they adapt their questions to obtain market-related information. These researchers often specialize in surveying existing and potential customers to drive trends in where, why, and how people spend their money. Market researchers typically integrate their findings with other marketing data and present this information to their clients in a proposal to increase sales.
Secondary research research jobs can help administer and analyze surveys. For example, trained interviewers are often needed to implement surveys. These professionals can conduct the interviews over the phone or through face-to-face meetings. Another secondary research job is that of a professional statistician. Statisticians can identify random samples of people to whom surveys are administered, or they can analyze raw survey data and present findings to the lead researcher or client.
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