Behavioural scientist

Description

Behavioural scientists research, observe and describe human behaviour in society. They draw conclusions on the motives that stir actions in humans, observe the various circumstances for different behaviours, and describe different personalities. They advise organisations and governmental institutions on this field. They may also analyse the behaviour of animals.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to behavioural scientist:

behavioural science scholar
behavioural science analyst
behavioral scientist
behavioural science research analyst
behavioural science researcher

Minimum qualifications

Master’s degree is generally required to work as behavioural scientist. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Behavioural scientist is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Behavioural scientist career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to behavioural scientist.

criminologist
sociologist
communication scientist
political scientist
demographer

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of behavioural scientist. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of behavioural scientist with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of behavioural scientist.

Psychological counselling methods: The various psychological counselling, training and coaching methods for persons of all ages, groups and organizations considering medical aspects.
Statistics: The study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments in order to forecast and plan work-related activities.
Sociology: The group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Biology: Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.
Pedagogy: The discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.
Psychology: The human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of behavioural scientist.

Apply statistical analysis techniques: Use models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.
Perform scientific research: Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
Apply scientific methods: Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
Write work-related reports: Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
Apply knowledge of human behaviour: Practice principles related to group behaviour, trends in society, and influence of societal dynamics.
Provide clinical psychological counselling: Provide clinical psychological counselling in relation to health impairments, their conditions and the possibilities for change.
Report analysis results: Produce research documents or give presentations to report the results of a conducted research and analysis project, indicating the analysis procedures and methods which led to the results, as well as potential interpretations of the results.
Research human behaviour: Analyse, study, and explain human behaviour, uncover the reasons why individuals and groups behave as they do, and look for patterns in order to predict future behaviour.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of behavioural scientist. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Criminology: The study of criminal behaviour, such as its causes and nature, its consequences, and control and prevention methods.
Disability care: The specific methods and practices used in providing care to people with physical, intellectual and learning disabilities.
Applied zoology: The science of applying animal anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behaviour in a particular practical context.
Anthropology: The study of development and behaviour of human beings.
Demography: The scientific field of study that deals with studying the size, structure, and distribution of the human population, and its geographical and temporal changes.
Psychological treatment measures: The psychological treatment measures for persons of all ages and groups, with the aim of improving treatment skills and the provisions of trans-cultural and gender aspects.
Scientific research methodology: The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.
Animal behaviour: The natural behavioural patterns of animals, i.e. how normal and abnormal behaviour might be expressed according to species, environment, human-animal interaction and occupation.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of behavioural scientist. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Inform policy makers on health-related challenges: Provide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.
Write research proposals: Synthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the relevant subject and field of study.
Apply clinical psychological treatment: Apply clinical psychological treatment for people of all ages and groups based on clinical psychological assessment.
Create criminal profiles: Determine the psychological and social reasons people commit crimes in order to create typical criminal profile types that can be used by law enforcers in the future to solve crimes and find perpetrators.
Develop solutions for harmful behaviour: Conduct research into harmful behaviours such as smoking and develop strategies and methods to help prevent or solve them.
Apply teaching strategies: Employ various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating arguments when necessary. Use a wide range of teaching devices and methodologies appropriate to the class content, the learners’ level, goals, and priorities.
Conduct public surveys: Conduct the procedures of a public survey from the initial formulation and compilation of the questions, identifying the target audience, managing the survey method and operations, managing the processing of acquired data, and analysing the results.
Assist police investigations: Assist in police investigations by providing them with specialised information as a professional involved in the case, or by providing witness accounts, in order to ensure the police have all relevant information for the case.
Observe human behaviour: Make detailed notes while observing how humans interact with and react to each other, objects, concepts, ideas, beliefs, and systems in order to uncover patterns and trends.
Develop scientific theories: Formulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.
Conduct quantitative research: Execute a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.
Create individual treatment programmes: Develop treatment programmes to suit each individual patient, helping patients achieve more independence and confidence in their daily lives.
Oversee animal management: Oversee all aspects of animal management.
Write scientific papers: Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
Provide technical expertise: Provide expert knowledge in a particular field, especially concerning mechanical or scientific subjects, to decision makers, engineers, technical staff or journalists.
Assess animal behaviour: Observe and evaluate the behaviour of animals in order to work with them safely and recognise deviations from normal behaviour that signal compromised health and welfare.
Conduct qualitative research: Gather relevant information by applying systematic methods, such as interviews, focus groups, text analysis, observations and case studies.

ISCO group and title

2632 – Sociologists, anthropologists and related professionals

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Behavioural scientist – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022