Communication scientist

Communication scientists research the different aspects of the planning, collecting, creating, organizing, preserving, using, evaluating and exchanging information through verbal or non-verbal communication. They study the interactions between groups, individuals, and individuals with technologies (robots).

The following job titles also refer to communication scientist:

communication studies research analyst
communication scholar
communication studies scholar
communication researcher
communication studies research scientist
communication research analyst
communication research scientist
communication studies analyst
communication studies researcher
communication analyst
communication science researcher
communications scientist

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

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.

Communication scientist is a Skill level 4 occupation.

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

media scientist
sociologist
demographer
political scientist
behavioural scientist

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

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

Communication: Exchanging and conveying information, ideas, concepts, thoughts, and feelings through the use of a shared system of words, signs, and semiotic rules via a medium.
Media studies: Academic field dealing with the history, content, and impact of diverse media with a special focus on mass communication.
Communication studies: The academic field of study that researches the processes of human interaction and communication through different media and how that communication is interpreted on a political, economic, cultural, social, semiotic, and hermeneutic level.
Types of media: The means of mass communication, such as internet, television, journals, and radio, that reach and influence the majority of the public.

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.

These skills are necessary for the role of communication scientist.

Use data processing techniques: Gather, process and analyse relevant data and information, properly store and update data and represent figures and data using charts and statistical diagrams.
Develop communication strategies: Manage or contribute to the conception and implementation of an organisation’s internal and external communications plans and presentation, including its online presence.
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.
Conduct quantitative research: Execute a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.
Conduct qualitative research: Gather relevant information by applying systematic methods, such as interviews, focus groups, text analysis, observations and case studies.

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

Media law: Set of laws related to the entertainment and telecommunications industry and regulatory activities within the fields of broadcasting, advertising, censorship, and online services.
Journalism: The activity of collecting, processing and presenting to and audience information related to current events, trends, and people, called the news.
Sociology: The group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Advertising techniques: The communication strategies intended to persuade or encourage an audience, and the different media which are used to achieve this goal.
Content marketing strategy: The process of creation and share of media and publishing content in order to acquire customers.
Anthropology: The study of development and behaviour of human beings.

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

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.
Advise on public relations: Advise business or public organisations on public relations management and strategies in order to ensure efficient communication with target audiences, and proper conveying of information.
Monitor sociological trends: Identify and investigate sociological trends and movements in society.
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.
Interview focus groups: Interview a group of people about their perceptions, opinions, principles, beliefs, and attitudes towards a concept, system, product or idea in an interactive group setting where the participants can talk freely amongst themselves.
Advise on communication strategies: Provide companies and organisations with consulting services concerning their internal and external communication plans and their representation, including their presence online. Recommend improvements in communication and make sure that important information reaches all employees and that their questions are answered.
Perform public relations: Perform public relations (PR) by managing the spread of information between an individual or an organisation and the public.
Develop scientific theories: Formulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.
Perform customer management: Identify and understand the customer’s needs. Communicate and engage with stakeholders in designing, promoting and evaluating services.
Develop media strategy: Create the strategy on the type of content to be delivered to the target groups and which media to be used, taking into account the characteristics of the target audience and the media that will be used for content delivery.
Write scientific papers: Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
Perform market research: Gather, assess and represent data about target market and customers in order to facilitate strategic development and feasibility studies. Identify market trends.

2632 – Sociologists, anthropologists and related professionals

 

 

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References

1. Communication scientist – ESCO