Sociologist

Sociologists focus their research on explaining social behaviour and the way people have organised themselves as a society. They research and explain the way societies have evolved by describing their legal, political, and economic systems and their cultural expressions.

The following job titles also refer to sociologist:

sociology research analyst
rural sociology analyst
rural sociology scholar
rural sociology research scientist
rural sociologist
economic sociology analyst
urban sociology scientist
gerontologist
rural sociology science researcher
economic sociology science researcher
economic sociology scholar
urban sociology analyst
sociology scientist
economic sociology scientist
intercultural communications adviser
family and consumer science researcher
rural sociology scientist
urban sociology research analyst
sociology science researcher
sociology researcher
urban sociology research scientist
sociologists
urban sociologist
urban sociology science researcher
sociology research scientist
economic sociologist
sociology scholar
urban sociology researcher
urban sociology scholar
economic sociology research scientist
sociology analyst
rural sociology researcher
law sociologist
economic sociology research analyst
rural sociology research analyst
economic sociology researcher

Master’s degree is generally required to work as sociologist. 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.

Sociologist is a Skill level 4 occupation.

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

communication scientist
anthropologist
demographer
political scientist
media scientist

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

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

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.
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 sociologist.

Gather data: Extract exportable data from multiple sources.
Interpret current data: Analyse data gathered from sources such as market data, scientific papers, customer requirements and questionnaires which are current and up-to-date in order to assess development and innovation in areas of expertise.
Monitor sociological trends: Identify and investigate sociological trends and movements in society.
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.
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.
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.
Apply knowledge of human behaviour: Practice principles related to group behaviour, trends in society, and influence of societal dynamics.
Study human societies: Gather and analyse data in order to examine how humans respond to change, how power systems come into place, how cultural movements arise, etc.
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 sociologist. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Legal studies: The study of law, the situations and causes that elicit responses from institutions in the form of laws and regulations. This includes cultural, economic, and political factors. Some areas of law are civil, business, criminal, and property law.

Religious studies: Study of religious behaviour, beliefs, and institutions from a secular point of view and based on methodologies from various fields such as anthropology, sociology, and philosophy.
History: The discipline that studies, analyses, and presents the events of the past related to humans.
Political science: The systems of government, the methodology concerning the analysis of political activity and behaviour, and the theory and practice of influencing people and acquiring governance.
Interview techniques: The techniques for getting information out of people by asking the right questions in the right way and to make them feel comfortable.
Politics: The method, process and study of influencing people, gaining control over a community or society, and the distribution of power within a community and between societies.
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.
Economics: Economic principles and practices, financial and commodity markets, banking and the analysis of financial data.
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.
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.
Cultural history: Field that combines historical and anthropological approaches for recording and studying past customs, arts, and manners of a group of people taking into account their political, cultural, and social milieu.
Gender studies: Interdisciplinary academic field which studies gender equality and gender representation in society. Theories related to gender studies can be part of the scientific research in various fields such as literature and other artistic media, history, sociology, and political science.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of sociologist. 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 personnel management: Advise senior staff in an organisation on methods to improve relations with employees, on improved methods for hiring and training employees and increasing employee satisfaction.
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.
Advise legislators: Give advice on various government and legislative duties, such as policy creation and the inner workings of a governmental department, to government officials in legislative positions, such as members of parliament, government ministers, senators, and other legislators.
Study cultures: Study and internalise a culture that is not your own to truly understand its traditions, rules, and workings.
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.
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.
Teach sociology: Instruct students in the theory and practice of sociology, and more specifically in topics such as empirical observations, human behaviour, and development of societies.
Write scientific papers: Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
Advise on organisation climate: Advise organisations on their internal culture and work environment as experienced by employees, and the factors which may influence the behaviour of employees.
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. Sociologist – ESCO