Social Science Research Assistants
Official O*NET title: Social Science Research Assistants (19-4061.00)
Also called: clinical research assistant, graduate assistant, graduate research assistant, research aide, research assistant
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing social science research assistants work
7 of 10 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Red (lots of AI use) — 70%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Conduct internet-based and library research (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Present research findings to groups of people (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Develop and put in place research quality control procedures (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Provide assistance in the design of survey instruments such as questionnaires — a lot of recorded AI use
- Edit and submit protocols and other required research documentation — some recorded AI use
- Perform needs assessments or consult with clients to determine the types of research and information required — some recorded AI use
- Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians — no recorded AI use
- Administer standardized tests to research subjects, or interview them to collect research data — no recorded AI use
- Recruit and schedule research participants — no recorded AI use
- Screen potential subjects to determine their suitability as study participants — no recorded AI use
- Track research participants, and perform any necessary follow-up tasks — no recorded AI use
- Code data in preparation for computer entry — no recorded AI use
- Track laboratory supplies and expenses such as participant reimbursement — no recorded AI use
- Supervise the work of survey interviewers — no recorded AI use
- Allocate and manage laboratory space and resources — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results”. Try the prompt for: “Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and social science research assistants
Will AI replace social science research assistants?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 7 of the 10 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Red rating (lots of AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 12 of the 22 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which social science research assistant tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results; provide assistance in the design of survey instruments such as questionnaires; prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases.
Which social science research assistant tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software; verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors; perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 70% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a social science research assistant start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Social Science Research Assistants ranks #59 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #4 of 45 in Science & Research.
Related jobs
- Will AI change natural sciences managers?
- Will AI change animal scientists?
- Will AI change food scientists?
- Will AI change soil and plant scientists?
- Will AI change biochemists?
- Will AI change microbiologists?
- Will AI change data scientists?
- Will AI change survey researchers?
- Will AI change statisticians?
- Will AI change statistical assistants?
- See all jobs