What Do Survey Researchers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

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. They also review, classify, and record survey data in preparation for computer analysis.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Determine and specify details of survey projects, including sources of information, procedures to be used, and the design of survey instruments and materials.
• Consult with clients to identify survey needs and specific requirements, such as special samples.
• Conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews.

We asked Survey Researchers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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69% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 65% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Survey Researchers conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews. They monitor and evaluate survey progress and performance, using sample disposition reports and response rate calculations.

A typical day for a Survey Researcher will also include:

• Direct and review the work of staff members, including survey support staff and interviewers who gather survey data.
• Support, plan, and coordinate operations for single or multiple surveys.
• Conduct research to gather information about survey topics.
• Produce documentation of the questionnaire development process, data collection methods, sampling designs, and decisions related to sample statistical weighting.
• Determine and specify details of survey projects, including sources of information, procedures to be used, and the design of survey instruments and materials.

We asked some Survey Researchers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	89% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	48% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	70% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	19% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	15% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Survey Researchers also review, classify, and record survey data in preparation for computer analysis. They may also write proposals to win new projects.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Survey Researchers Direct and review the work of staff members, including survey support staff and interviewers who gather survey data. They might also Direct updates and changes in survey implementation and methods.

In addition, they Monitor and evaluate survey progress and performance, using sample disposition reports and response rate calculations.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Determine and specify details of survey projects, including sources of information, procedures to be used, and the design of survey instruments and materials.

To some Survey Researchers, it is also their responsibility to Consult with clients to identify survey needs and specific requirements, such as special samples.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Survey Researcher, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/life-physical-and-social-science/survey-researchers.htm

http://www.aapor.org/

http://www.casro.org/

http://www.marketingresearch.org/