Social researcher

As a social researcher, you'll use methods such as interviews, survey questionnaires, focus groups and desk research to investigate individuals' attitudes, behaviour and experiences. You'll also analyse population samples and datasets to explore specific social issues.

You'll collect, analyse and evaluate data and information, and present your findings to clients and key stakeholders to inform policy decisions.

You could work in a client-side role, which has slightly more focus on the users of the research, e.g. policymakers, or in an agency role focusing more on the design and delivery of the research.

Types of social research

Your research could focus on a range of topics, including:

• the benefits system and welfare policy
• children, families and social services
• crime and justice
• disability, equality and human rights
• education and skills
• energy and the environment
• health, nutrition and social care
• housing
• population change and migration
• poverty, employment and income
• tax and pensions
• transport.

For information on working in social research for the government, see government social research officer.

Responsibilities

As a social researcher, you'll usually work in a team and will typically need to:

• understand the purpose of the project and define the research parameters
• design an appropriate methodology to deliver the project
• design and write survey questionnaires to collect the data needed for the project
• apply a range of research techniques to gather relevant information, including document analysis, surveys, case studies and interviews (face-to-face, telephone and online)
• liaise with and direct field interviewers to gather information
• conduct literature and evidence reviews
• analyse and evaluate research findings using a range of quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques and software
• ensure research complies with ethical standards and data protection requirements
• design and conduct evaluations of policies, programmes or services
• prepare, present and disseminate results in the form of reports, briefings, research papers and presentations
• offer research-based briefings and advice, which may involve writing action plans
• advise external bodies on social policy
• prepare and present tenders for new research projects or contribute to research proposals.

Salary

• Salaries at researcher level typically range from £25,000 to £35,000, depending on your experience.
• Salaries for experienced, senior and principal social researchers can rise to around £40,000 to £60,000.
• In senior managerial roles, salaries may exceed £70,000, depending on the sector.

Salaries vary depending on your experience, the sector you work in and your location. Salaries may be higher in London. Roles in local and national government and academia are likely to follow a grading structure.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours are typically 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Many organisations offer flexible or hybrid working arrangements. You may occasionally need to work longer hours to meet project deadlines or travel to conduct fieldwork, attend meetings or present research findings.

What to expect

• Jobs are available throughout the UK, particularly in towns and cities. Research consultancies, think tanks and national government departments are more concentrated in London and the South East.
• In academic research and some project-based roles, short-term contracts are common, so you may need to be flexible when seeking ongoing work.
• There are some opportunities for freelance or consultancy work once you've gained substantial practical experience. This may suit you if you enjoy bidding for work, networking and building professional contacts.
• Working to regular project deadlines can be challenging, particularly when focusing on policy issues in a fast-moving environment or managing multiple projects.
• The work is largely office-based, although you may need to travel, for example to attend meetings or undertake research.

Qualifications

You'll usually need a degree to get into social research. Although any subject is acceptable, employers often prefer degrees with a strong social science, analytical or research focus. The following subjects may be particularly useful:

• anthropology
• business studies
• economics
• geography
• mathematics
• politics
• psychology
• social policy
• sociology
• statistics.

It's possible to move into a career in social research straight after your degree, particularly if social research methods and statistics or data analysis modules were included as part of your course.

The government and some of the large research agencies run graduate training schemes. Entry requirements vary, so read the job description carefully.

It's also possible to gain entry via a Level 6 (degree-level) Social Researcher Apprenticeship. Apprenticeships combine paid work with part-time study, allowing you to train on the job. The apprenticeship usually lasts around four years, and you'll need to be in a relevant job and have the support of your employer to take part.

If your undergraduate degree didn't include training in social research methods, you could pursue further study. Search postgraduate courses in research methods.

Although a Masters degree or PhD in a social science subject isn't required for entry-level posts, it can show your commitment and may be useful for future career development. Research courses carefully to make sure they meet your career needs and job requirements.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• quantitative and qualitative research skills for undertaking tasks such as interviewing, survey design and controlled trials
• strong numerical, analytical and problem-solving skills
• verbal and written communication skills, to write reports and present findings
• strong interpersonal skills for developing and maintaining relationships with research participants and stakeholders
• teamworking skills and the ability to work well independently
• confidence in using digital tools and research software
• project management skills to oversee research projects from initial planning to final reporting
• accuracy and attention to detail when handling data and reporting findings
• organisation and time management skills
• the ability to manage and prioritise multiple research projects and meet deadlines.

Work experience

It's important to get experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods. This may come from modules on your degree or Masters course, or through work experience such as research assistant roles, internships or survey interviewing.

Larger research agencies may advertise internships, placements and graduate traineeships on their websites. Smaller organisations specialising in social research may not have formal schemes but may still be able to offer work shadowing or project opportunities. These may include research consultancies, think tanks and charities with research teams.

You could also gain practical experience by working as a survey or market research interviewer, as organisations sometimes recruit freelance or temporary interviewers to carry out fieldwork.

Search graduate job websites, professional bodies such as the Social Research Association (SRA) or Market Research Society (MRS), and the careers pages of research organisations to find work placements and entry-level roles.

Alternatively, you could gain experience in roles that involve data collection, analysis or evaluation of services, or by assisting with research projects at university.

Use your networking skills at social research events or training to find out about possible openings or make speculative approaches to organisations of interest. Student membership of organisations such as the SRA can help build your network of contacts.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

There are opportunities available in many types of organisation, including:

• central government - social researchers work in the main government departments (see government social research officer), as well as for the Scottish and Welsh governments
• local government - particularly in social services, housing, education and chief executive departments
• independent research institutes such as the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) and Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen)
• research consultancies and agencies
• higher education institutions (academia)
• charities and voluntary sector organisations
• the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and other public bodies
• trade unions
• pressure and lobby groups
• international organisations and NGOs.

Many of the larger research agencies, such as Ipsos and Verian, have specialist social research departments and some offer graduate traineeships. There are also many small businesses that specialise in social and market research.

Social researchers in higher education are based in:

• large research centres
• research groups within university departments.

Research centre clients range from government to charities and may also undertake consultancy work as well as their own research.

Some market research consultancies in the private sector also conduct social research for clients such as government agencies, consumer goods producers and retailers, and media agencies.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Charity Job
• Civil Service Jobs - for social research roles in government departments.
• Jobs.ac.uk and THEUnijobs - for social research jobs in higher education.
• Social Research Association (SRA)

Jobs are also advertised on LinkedIn and the websites of research consultancies and agencies.

Job titles can vary, so keep an eye out for alternatives when looking at job adverts. For example, you may see research officer, evaluation officer or information officer.

The Research Buyers Guide provides information on companies and consultants offering market research services, which may be useful for speculative applications.

Networking at research events or training courses is another way of finding out about potential job openings.

Professional development

Graduate training programmes are available with some of the larger research agencies and government departments. These usually last around two years and include an initial induction, on-the-job training, short courses and mentor support.

In smaller organisations you'll typically be trained on the job, learning from experienced colleagues. You may also attend short training courses to develop specialist skills in areas such as:

• evaluation techniques
• statistical analysis
• qualitative research methods
• survey design and sampling
• research ethics and data protection
• report writing and presentation skills
• the use of research software and digital tools.

Professional bodies such as the SRA provide training courses covering a range of social research practice. For more information, see SRA Training. SRA membership can also provide networking and career development opportunities.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is important throughout your career to keep your research skills and knowledge up to date.

You may also choose to study for an MSc in social research methods or a related subject part time while working.

Career prospects

In central and local government, higher education and most of the independent research institutes, there's a recognisable career structure with different grades reflecting levels of experience, responsibility and seniority.

As a typical new entrant in the civil service, you may start as a research officer and progress to senior research officer once you've gained enough professional research experience.

With further experience and responsibility, you may move into principal research officer roles, with responsibility for leading research strategy, programmes or teams. If you're employed at a university specialist research centre, your career and salary structures are usually linked to those of lecturing staff.

If you're working for a major research agency, you're likely to start as a researcher before moving on to the role of senior researcher. Job titles and progression structures vary between organisations, but senior roles may include research manager, associate director or director. At director level, you may lead a group of researchers focused on a policy area as well as overseeing strategic planning and business development.

Promotion from entry level generally leads to involvement in larger projects, project management, bidding or tendering for new business, and staff and financial management. Senior researchers are also expected to win new business.

Experienced researchers may move between sectors, such as government, research agencies, charities, think tanks and universities, or into consultancy, advisory roles or freelance research.