Social Science Research Assistants
Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.
AI Impact Summary
Social Science Research Assistants faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 43/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 88% of all analyzed occupations. Of 23 analyzed tasks, 10 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Social Science Research Assistants skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence
by Case Western Reserve University
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
23 tasks analyzed
Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases.
Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians.
Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.
Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors.
Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.
Edit and submit protocols and other required research documentation.
Develop and implement research quality control procedures.
Screen potential subjects to determine their suitability as study participants.
Administer standardized tests to research subjects, or interview them to collect research data.
Conduct internet-based and library research.
Recruit and schedule research participants.
Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion.
Present research findings to groups of people.
Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning.
Code data in preparation for computer entry.
Provide assistance in the design of survey instruments such as questionnaires.
Track research participants, and perform any necessary follow-up tasks.
Allocate and manage laboratory space and resources.
Supervise the work of survey interviewers.
Track laboratory supplies, and expenses such as participant reimbursement.
Perform needs assessments or consult with clients to determine the types of research and information required.
Collect specimens such as blood samples, as required by research projects.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases. | 45.83Observed | 67.5% | 8% | |
| Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations. | 58.9Observed | 72.8% | 6% | |
| Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 4% | |
| Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software. | 80Estimated | 59.0% | 8% | |
| Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 6% | |
| Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results. | 55.93Observed | 71.6% | 6% | |
| Edit and submit protocols and other required research documentation. | 54.6Observed | 71.0% | 4% | |
| Develop and implement research quality control procedures. | 45Observed | 45.0% | 4% | |
| Screen potential subjects to determine their suitability as study participants. | 75Estimated | 79.2% | 3% | |
| Administer standardized tests to research subjects, or interview them to collect research data. | 40Estimated | 31.0% | 6% | |
| Conduct internet-based and library research. | 50.6Observed | 47.2% | 6% | |
| Recruit and schedule research participants. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 4% | |
| Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 6% | |
| Present research findings to groups of people. | 58.2Observed | 38.3% | 3% | |
| Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning. | 48.18Observed | 46.3% | 4% | |
| Code data in preparation for computer entry. | 36.05Observed | 63.6% | 5% | |
| Provide assistance in the design of survey instruments such as questionnaires. | 65.45Observed | 53.2% | 4% | |
| Track research participants, and perform any necessary follow-up tasks. | 85Estimated | 83.2% | 3% | |
| Allocate and manage laboratory space and resources. | 70Estimated | 77.2% | 2% | |
| Supervise the work of survey interviewers. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 2% | |
| Track laboratory supplies, and expenses such as participant reimbursement. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 2% | |
| Perform needs assessments or consult with clients to determine the types of research and information required. | 52.45Observed | 36.0% | 2% | |
| Collect specimens such as blood samples, as required by research projects. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 28.9%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$58,040
per year
Mean Wage
$63,560
per year
Employment
33K
workers
Wage Range
$36,410 - $100,620
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
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Alternate Career Paths
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Higher risk than 52% of other occupations
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists
36%Median salary: $77,020
Higher risk than 70% of other occupations
Statisticians
38%Median salary: $103,300
Higher risk than 75% of other occupations
Logistics Analysts
40%Median salary: $80,880
Higher risk than 82% of other occupations
Statistical Assistants
43%Median salary: $51,440
Higher risk than 89% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Social Science Research Assistants professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Programming
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change