Social Researcher Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Social Researcher

Best Schools to become a Social Researcher in U.S. 2024

East Los Angeles College

Monterey Park, CA

In-State Tuition:$1,196
Out-of-State Tuition:$9,828
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:30%
Total Enrollment:27,855

Sierra College

Rocklin, CA

In-State Tuition:$1,104
Out-of-State Tuition:$8,496
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:34%
Total Enrollment:15,766

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA

In-State Tuition:$11,564
Out-of-State Tuition:$41,636
Admission Rate:9%
Graduation Rate:92%
Total Enrollment:46,430

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA

In-State Tuition:$11,564
Out-of-State Tuition:$41,636
Admission Rate:26%
Graduation Rate:86%
Total Enrollment:26,420

Ohlone College

Fremont, CA

In-State Tuition:$1,104
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,080
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:55%
Total Enrollment:8,358

College of the Canyons

Santa Clarita, CA

In-State Tuition:$1,104
Out-of-State Tuition:$9,264
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:43%
Total Enrollment:18,075
Social Researcher Job Description:
  • Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations.
  • May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Social Researcher

Job Duties for Social Researchers

  • Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior.

  • Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.

  • Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.

Technologies and Skills Used by Social Researchers

Analytical or scientific software

  • IBM SPSS Statistics
  • SAS

Data base user interface and query software

  • Microsoft Access
  • QSR International NVivo

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • Talking to others

People and Technology Systems

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Social Researcher

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Social Researcher

FAQs About Becoming a Social Researcher