AITakeover Tracker
43%medium risk

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.

Higher risk than 88% of occupations

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)

Information Ordering5%

High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Reading Comprehension10%

High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Programming15%

Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Memorization5%

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/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Leadership88%

Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Service Orientation82%

Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Instructing75%

Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Persuasion80%

Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

AI-Augmented Skills (7)

WritingCritical ThinkingActive LearningJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoringSystems AnalysisTechnology Design

Recommended Courses

Courses matched to Social Science Research Assistants skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.

Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.

Upskill to Reduce Risk

Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills

DataCampbeginner

SQL Fundamentals Skill Track

by DataCamp

21 hours$25/mo4.7Certificate
Addresses vulnerability: Information Ordering

Estimated Impact

-7.3pt risk+$3K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Coursera

Creative Writing Specialization

by Wesleyan University

~8 weeks$49/mo4.7Certificate
Enhances AI augmentation: Writing

Estimated Impact

-5.3pt risk+$3K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Coursera

Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence

by Case Western Reserve University

32 hours$49/mo4.8Certificate
Strengthens resilience: Adaptability/Flexibility

Estimated Impact

-3.8pt risk+$3K/yr salary

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

Associate's Degree18%
Bachelor's Degree46%
Master's Degree3%
Doctoral/Professional Degree29%
Level 114%

Prior Experience Needed

Work experience required to enter this job

1-3 months10%
3-6 months13%
6 months - 1 year22%
1-2 years31%
2-4 years12%
4-6 years12%

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

None9%
Up to 1 month17%
1-3 months38%
3-6 months19%
6 months - 1 year4%
1-2 years13%

How AI Impacts Each Task

23 tasks analyzed

Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases.

Risk: 67.5%AI: 45.83ObservedTime: 8%

Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.

Risk: 72.8%AI: 58.9ObservedTime: 6%

Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians.

Risk: 21.0%AI: 15EstimatedTime: 4%

Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.

Risk: 59.0%AI: 80EstimatedTime: 8%

Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors.

Risk: 85.2%AI: 90EstimatedTime: 6%

Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.

Risk: 71.6%AI: 55.93ObservedTime: 6%

Edit and submit protocols and other required research documentation.

Risk: 71.0%AI: 54.6ObservedTime: 4%

Develop and implement research quality control procedures.

Risk: 45.0%AI: 45ObservedTime: 4%

Screen potential subjects to determine their suitability as study participants.

Risk: 79.2%AI: 75EstimatedTime: 3%

Administer standardized tests to research subjects, or interview them to collect research data.

Risk: 31.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 6%

Conduct internet-based and library research.

Risk: 47.2%AI: 50.6ObservedTime: 6%

Recruit and schedule research participants.

Risk: 85.2%AI: 90EstimatedTime: 4%

Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion.

Risk: 87.2%AI: 95EstimatedTime: 6%

Present research findings to groups of people.

Risk: 38.3%AI: 58.2ObservedTime: 3%

Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning.

Risk: 46.3%AI: 48.18ObservedTime: 4%

Code data in preparation for computer entry.

Risk: 63.6%AI: 36.05ObservedTime: 5%

Provide assistance in the design of survey instruments such as questionnaires.

Risk: 53.2%AI: 65.45ObservedTime: 4%

Track research participants, and perform any necessary follow-up tasks.

Risk: 83.2%AI: 85EstimatedTime: 3%

Allocate and manage laboratory space and resources.

Risk: 77.2%AI: 70EstimatedTime: 2%

Supervise the work of survey interviewers.

Risk: 27.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 2%

Track laboratory supplies, and expenses such as participant reimbursement.

Risk: 85.2%AI: 90EstimatedTime: 2%

Perform needs assessments or consult with clients to determine the types of research and information required.

Risk: 36.0%AI: 52.45ObservedTime: 2%

Collect specimens such as blood samples, as required by research projects.

Risk: 11.0%AI: 5EstimatedTime: 2%

Protective Factors

Total protective discount: 28.9%

Essential Soft Skills

Traits that are hard for AI to replicate

IntegrityAttention to DetailAnalytical ThinkingDependabilityIndependenceAdaptability/FlexibilityCooperationInitiativePersistenceAchievement/EffortInnovationConcern for Others

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

$36,410Median: $58,040$100,620
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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

+2.5

overall change

Checking for existing plan...