Occupation Details
Survey Researchers
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.
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Interests
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$64,230.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$84,530.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$100,860.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
550
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
610
+6 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
56
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
More School - Graduate or advanced degree
Experience Requirements
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Training Details
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Sociology and Anthropology
Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Laser printers
- Notebook computers
- Optical character readers
- Personal computers
- Personal digital assistants PDA
- Scanners
Technology
- Acarda CallAssist
- Acarda ForbiddenCalls
- Adobe Systems Adobe ColdFusion
- Apian SurveyPro
- Argus Perceptual Mapper
- Askia Web
- Askiaanalyse
- Askiavoice
- C++
- COMCON DataFriend
- CfMC COSI
- CfMC SoundSurvent
- Computer assisted telephone interviewing CATI software
- Creative Research Survey System
- DATAN Merlin Fastab
- Database software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- prepare reports
- prepare technical reports or related documentation
- monitor consumer or marketing trends
- advise clients or customers
- provide expert testimony on research results
- recommend further study or action based on research data
- advise governmental or industrial personnel
- recognize interrelationships among individuals or social groups
- recognize interrelationships among social statistics or indicators
- write research or project grant proposals
- write business project or bid proposals
- develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
- develop plans for programs or projects
- direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- work as a team member
- create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts
- communicate technical information
- make presentations
- plan surveys of specified group or area
- plan scientific research or investigative studies
- follow confidentiality procedures
- use current social research
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- use interviewing procedures
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use scientific research methodology
- maintain awareness of social trends
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
- use quantitative research methods
- use library or online Internet research techniques
- confer with research personnel
- explain complex mathematical information
- interpret charts or tables for social or economic research
- write scholarly or technical research papers
- collect scientific or technical data
- collect statistical data
- collect social or personal information
- obtain information from individuals
- compile numerical or statistical data
- develop tables depicting data
- analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
- perform statistical modeling
- conduct field research or investigative studies
- conduct market research
- analyze social or economic data
- forecast or predict phenomena based upon research data
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- use relational database software
- use spreadsheet software
- use word processing or desktop publishing software
- develop or maintain databases
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Review, classify, and record survey data in preparation for computer analysis.
- Monitor and evaluate survey progress and performance, using sample disposition reports and response rate calculations.
- Produce documentation of the questionnaire development process, data collection methods, sampling designs, and decisions related to sample statistical weighting.
- 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.
- Conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews.
- Support, plan, and coordinate operations for single or multiple 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.
- Analyze data from surveys, old records, or case studies, using statistical software.
- Direct updates and changes in survey implementation and methods.
- Write training manuals to be used by survey interviewers.
- Write proposals to win new projects.
- Collaborate with other researchers in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of surveys.
- Hire and train recruiters and data collectors.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
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