Survey Researcher

Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Data Analyst; Market Survey Representative; Research Associate; Research Fellow; Research Interviewer; Research Scientist; Survey Methodologist; Survey Researcher; Survey Statistician; Telephone Interviewer

Tasks

• Conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews.
• Prepare and present summaries and analyses of survey data, including tables, graphs, and fact sheets that describe survey techniques and results.
• Consult with clients to identify survey needs and specific requirements, such as special samples.
• Determine and specify details of survey projects, including sources of information, procedures to be used, and the design of survey instruments and materials.
• Support, plan, and coordinate operations for single or multiple surveys.
• Monitor and evaluate survey progress and performance, using sample disposition reports and response rate calculations.
• Collaborate with other researchers in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of surveys.
• Conduct research to gather information about survey topics.
• Direct and review the work of staff members, including survey support staff and interviewers who gather survey data.
• Direct updates and changes in survey implementation and methods.
• Produce documentation of the questionnaire development process, data collection methods, sampling designs, and decisions related to sample statistical weighting.
• Write proposals to win new projects.
• Review, classify, and record survey data in preparation for computer analysis.
• Analyze data from surveys, old records, or case studies, using statistical software.
• Write training manuals to be used by survey interviewers.

Knowledge

• English Language
• Sociology and Anthropology
• Mathematics
• Computers and Electronics
• Administration and Management
• Customer and Personal Service
• Psychology
• Administrative
• Education and Training
• Communications and Media

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Writing
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Mathematics
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Inductive Reasoning
• Written Expression
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Near Vision
• Speech Clarity
• Number Facility
• Speech Recognition
• Problem Sensitivity
• Category Flexibility
• Fluency of Ideas
• Flexibility of Closure
• Originality
• Selective Attention