Will social science research assistants be replaced by AI?
Updated
Social science research assistants score 63 of 100 for AI exposure. The largest share of their task time, 68%, is work AI speeds up while they stay in charge. AI can take over 22% outright, and 10% stays with people.
- 22% AI can do it
- 68% AI helps
- 10% Needs a person
High exposure
Higher than 94% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 22 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can do 4 of them today, speeds up 15 and leaves 3 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion. Digital clerical data entry is routine and highly automatable. | 85% AI can do it |
| Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors. Rule-based and AI checks flag and fix entry errors quickly. | 70% AI can do it |
| Code data in preparation for computer entry. AI codes open-ended responses into categories reliably at scale. | 70% AI can do it |
| Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning. AI writes analysis and cleaning scripts; researcher tests and approves. | 65% AI helps |
| Conduct internet-based and library research. AI searches and summarizes sources; researcher verifies citations. | 65% AI helps |
| Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results. AI builds tables, chart code and summaries; person checks output. | 62% AI can do it |
| Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software. AI runs and explains statistics; analyst validates model choices. | 60% AI helps |
| Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases. AI writes queries and transformations; staff manage data governance. | 60% AI helps |
| Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations. AI drafts report and manuscript sections; author revises and owns. | 55% AI helps |
| Recruit and schedule research participants. AI drafts outreach and automates scheduling; staff handle contacts. | 55% AI helps |
Show the other 12 tasks
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Track research participants, and perform any necessary follow-up tasks. Tracking tools and drafted reminders cut work; staff handle exceptions. | 55% AI helps |
| Edit and submit protocols and other required research documentation. AI drafts protocol and ethics documents; person reviews and submits. | 55% AI helps |
| Provide assistance in the design of survey instruments such as questionnaires. AI drafts questionnaire items; researcher refines wording and flow. | 55% AI helps |
| Screen potential subjects to determine their suitability as study participants. AI checks screeners against criteria; edge cases need judgement. | 50% AI helps |
| Track laboratory supplies and expenses such as participant reimbursement. Expense logs are digital, but supplies and payouts need manual handling. | 45% AI helps |
| Develop and implement research quality control procedures. AI drafts QC procedures; staff judge fit and enforce them. | 40% AI helps |
| Perform needs assessments or consult with clients to determine the types of research and information required. Client consultations need human judgement; AI helps prepare questions. | 30% AI helps |
| Supervise the work of survey interviewers. Supervising interviewers is people management needing human leadership. | 25% AI helps |
| Present research findings to groups of people. AI helps build slides; live presenting stays with the person. | 22% AI helps |
| Allocate and manage laboratory space and resources. Lab space and physical resource allocation needs on-site human management. | 18% Needs a person |
| Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians. Consent needs live explanation, questions and legal accountability. | 15% Needs a person |
| Administer standardized tests to research subjects, or interview them to collect research data. Live interviews and test administration need human rapport and presence. | 15% Needs a person |
How social science research assistants compare
All occupations (923)
Life, physical and social science (60)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $61,990 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 30,640 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- +5.0% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Write and test data cleaning scripts in R and Python
- Check AI-built tables and charts in Microsoft Excel against source data
- Run live participant interviews and administer standardized tests
- Obtain informed consent from research subjects or their guardians
- Supervise survey interviewers and run quality control checks
- Build findings slides in PowerPoint and present to research groups
Safer roles nearby
5 related occupations with lower scores.
Questions about social science research assistants and AI
Will AI replace social science research assistants?
Partly. About 5 in 10 working hours for a social science research assistant go to tasks AI can already do, mostly data entry and coding of open-ended responses. Obtaining consent, running live interviews and deciding what the data means stay with the person in the room.
Which tasks is AI taking over for social science research assistants?
Data entry and clerical work score 85 on exposure, the highest in this job, because the steps follow fixed rules. Coding open-ended survey responses into categories scores 70, since AI sorts text reliably at scale. Preparing tables and summary reports scores 62, as AI builds the tables and chart code while a person checks the output.
Which tasks stay human for social science research assistants?
Obtaining informed consent and administering tests or interviews each score 15, the lowest in this job. Both need live explanation, answered questions and rapport with a person present, along with legal accountability for the consent record. Allocating lab space scores 18 because it needs on-site human management.
How can social science research assistants stay valuable?
Write the cleaning and analysis scripts in R and Python yourself, then test each one on a sample before approval. Check every AI-built table and chart in Excel or SAS against the source file. Keep consent, interviews and interviewer supervision in your hands, since those tasks need you in person.
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