Social Science Research Assistants

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

O*NET-SOC code: 19-4061.00

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Very high· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery high
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
Source dataset (XLSX download)
Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.439
0.000Range of values carried here0.745
Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
Source dataset (CSV download)
Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.57
0.09Range of values carried here0.70
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
Source dataset (PDF download)

What kind of figure this source publishes

The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.

Task-level exposure

Exposed tasks only

23 rated tasks · 20 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (87.0%)

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
1 rated task is not in the O*NET 31.0 task list; its score is kept as published for O*NET 27.2.

Source: OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
Release: gh-main-0471612
License: MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI

Task (O*NET 20.1)	Claude.aiRaw / share %	APIRaw / share %
Conduct internet-based and library research. 19-4061.00	0.270550.8	0.118431.3
Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning. 19-4061.00	0.107420.2	0.109729.0
Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results. 19-4061.00	0.054610.3	0.03689.7
Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases. 19-4061.00	0.05289.9	0.047112.5
Provide assistance in the design of survey instruments such as questionnaires. 19-4061.00	0.02274.3	0.00391.0
Present research findings to groups of people. 19-4061.00	0.00611.1	0.00210.6
Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations. 19-4061.00	0.00541.0	0.00200.5
Perform needs assessments or consult with clients to determine the types of research and information required. 19-4061.00	0.00480.9	0.00431.1
Develop and implement research quality control procedures. 19-4061.00	0.00440.8	0.00551.5
Edit and submit protocols and other required research documentation. 19-4061.00	0.00360.7	—0
Code data in preparation for computer entry.	—0	0.043211.4
Recruit and schedule research participants.	—0	0.00491.3
Show 2 more tasks ▾Show less ▴
Not observed on any surface — 11 task(s) — These tasks have no row in the source for this release. The 0 in the share row is a display-stage composition ratio; absence is what the — in the raw row states.
Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians.	—0	—0
Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.	—0	—0
Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors.	—0	—0
Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion.	—0	—0
Screen potential subjects to determine their suitability as study participants.	—0	—0
Administer standardized tests to research subjects, or interview them to collect research data.	—0	—0
Track research participants, and perform any necessary follow-up tasks.	—0	—0
Allocate and manage laboratory space and resources.	—0	—0
Supervise the work of survey interviewers.	—0	—0
Track laboratory supplies, and expenses such as participant reimbursement.	—0	—0
Collect specimens such as blood samples, as required by research projects.	—0	—0

Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.

Task (O*NET 27.2)	βE1 + 0.5 × E2
Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations. O*NET Task ID 12953	1.0
Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software. O*NET Task ID 12955	1.0
Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors. O*NET Task ID 12956	1.0
Edit and submit protocols and other required research documentation. O*NET Task ID 12958	1.0
Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion. O*NET Task ID 12962	1.0
Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning. O*NET Task ID 12963	1.0
Code data in preparation for computer entry. O*NET Task ID 12964	1.0
Provide assistance in the design of survey instruments such as questionnaires. O*NET Task ID 12965	1.0
Track laboratory supplies and expenses such as participant reimbursement. O*NET Task ID 12972	1.0
Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases. O*NET Task ID 12952	0.5
Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results. O*NET Task ID 12957	0.5
Develop and implement research quality control procedures. O*NET Task ID 12959	0.5
Conduct internet-based and library research. O*NET Task ID 12960	0.5
Present research findings to groups of people. O*NET Task ID 12961	0.5
Screen potential subjects to determine their suitability as study participants. O*NET Task ID 12966	0.5
Administer standardized tests to research subjects, or interview them to collect research data. O*NET Task ID 12967	0.5
Recruit and schedule research participants. O*NET Task ID 12968	0.5
Track research participants, and perform any necessary follow-up tasks. O*NET Task ID 12969	0.5
Supervise the work of survey interviewers. O*NET Task ID 12971	0.5
Perform needs assessments or consult with clients to determine the types of research and information required. O*NET Task ID 12973	0.5
Show 10 more tasks ▾Show less ▴
Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians. O*NET Task ID 12954	0.0
Allocate and manage laboratory space and resources. O*NET Task ID 12970	0.0
Collect specimens such as blood samples, as required by research projects. O*NET Task ID 12974	0.0

β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.

Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page

All O*NET 31.0 task statements (22)

All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.

Task (O*NET 31.0)	Type
Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases.	Core
Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.	Core
Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.	Core
Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors.	Core
Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.	Core
Develop and implement research quality control procedures.	Core
Conduct internet-based and library research.	Core
Present research findings to groups of people.	Core
Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion.	Core
Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning.	Core
Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians.	Supplemental
Edit and submit protocols and other required research documentation.	Supplemental
Code data in preparation for computer entry.	Supplemental
Provide assistance in the design of survey instruments such as questionnaires.	Supplemental
Screen potential subjects to determine their suitability as study participants.	Supplemental
Administer standardized tests to research subjects, or interview them to collect research data.	Supplemental
Recruit and schedule research participants.	Supplemental
Track research participants, and perform any necessary follow-up tasks.	Supplemental
Allocate and manage laboratory space and resources.	Supplemental
Supervise the work of survey interviewers.	Supplemental
Track laboratory supplies and expenses such as participant reimbursement.	Supplemental
Perform needs assessments or consult with clients to determine the types of research and information required.	Supplemental

Employment outlook (BLS)

Employment, 2025: 38K
Projected employment, 2035: 40K
Change (2025–35): +5%
Median annual wage, 2025: $61,990
Typical education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree

lowest $30,890median wage across 825 detailed occupations, BLS EP 2025–35highest $559,030

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — Employment by detailed occupation, 2025 and projected 2035

Korea classification links (KSCO)

Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.

KSCO code	KSCO title	Relation	Status
33202	통계 및 설문 조사 사무원	Related, not a match	confirmed

Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)

ILO occupational description

AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.

ISCO-08 3314Statistical, Mathematical and Related Associate Professionals

The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.

Statistical, mathematical and related associate professionals assist in planning the collection, processing and presentation of statistical, mathematical or actuarial data and in carrying out these operations, usually working under the guidance of statisticians, mathematicians and actuaries.

Tasks

(a) assisting in planning and performing statistical, mathematical, actuarial and related calculations;
(b) preparing detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for statistical census and survey operations;
(c) performing technical tasks connected with establishing, maintaining and using registers and sampling frames for census and survey operations;
(d) performing technical tasks connected with data collection and quality control operations in censuses and surveys;
(e) using standard computer software packages to perform mathematical, actuarial, statistical, accounting and related calculations;
(f) preparing statistical, mathematical, actuarial, accounting and other results for presentation in graphical or tabular form;
(g) applying knowledge of statistical, mathematical, actuarial, accounting and related principles and practices in order to identify and solve problems arising in the course of their work;
(h) supervising the work of statistical clerks.

Example occupations

Actuarial assistant · Mathematical assistant · Statistical assistant

Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits

ESCO occupational vocabulary

Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.

university research assistantESCO 2310.1.41This occupation is narrower
University research assistants conduct academic research for the university or college they are employed in. They may assist professors they are affiliated with, their supervisor, in their research or develop their own in the related field of that professor.
social work researcherESCO 2632.6.1Overlapping, not the same
Social work researchers manage research projects aiming to investigate and provide reports on social issues. They first perform research by gathering information through interviews, focus groups and questionnaires; followed by organising and analysing the gathered information using computer software packages. They analyse social problems and needs, and the different ways and techniques to respond to them.

Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)

License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)

View original

ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.

France classification links (ROME)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.

ROME code	ROME title (French)	Relation
K2401	Chercheur / Chercheuse en sciences humaines et sociales	Related, not a matchprovisional
M1401	Enquêteur / Enquêtrice sondage	Related, not a matchprovisional
M1403	Chargé / Chargée d'études socio-économiques	Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.

ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)

Spain classification links (CNO-11)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

CNO-11 code	CNO-11 title (Spanish)	Relation
2821	Sociólogos, geógrafos, antropólogos, arqueólogos y afines	Related, not a match
3404	Profesionales de apoyo en servicios estadísticos, matemáticos y afines	Related, not a match

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)

Germany classification links (KldB)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

KldB code	KldB title (German)	Relation
91342	Berufe in der Markt- und Meinungsforschung - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten	Overlapping, not the same
84304	Berufe in der Hochschullehre und -forschung - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten	Related, not a match
81623	Berufe in der klinischen Psychologie - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten	Related, not a matchprovisional
91233	Berufe in der Archäologie - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten	Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)

Japan classification links (JSCO)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

JSCO code	JSCO title (Japanese)	Relation
052	人文・社会科学系等研究者	Related, not a matchprovisional
259	その他の一般事務従事者	Related, not a matchprovisional
292	調査員	Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)

Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources