中文

Government Agencies Researcher

As a government social research officer, you'll provide research input for the analysis required to develop, implement, review and evaluate new and existing government policies. This research evidence helps inform the policy decisions of ministers.

Government Agencies Researcher

Government Agencies Researcher

Roles and responsibilities

What does a Government Agencies Researcher do?
Government Agencies Researchers may perform the following tasks:
  • working on a range of research projects and employing a variety of different research methodologies (if undertaking research internally)
  • discussing and agreeing project requirements with clients (policy officials, ministers)
  • drafting research specifications
  • agreeing the terms of reference for research
  • commissioning and project-managing research projects
  • commenting on draft research instruments, such as questionnaires, and editing draft reports
  • conducting, or commissioning then analysing, in-depth interviews with members of the public and large-scale data sets
  • managing junior staff (supervising, encouraging and mentoring)
  • ensuring that research is conducted within a set time frame to meet policy requirements
  • managing competitive tendering exercises
  • ensuring quality control of research
  • providing information and analysis on a policy issue and its development
  • providing information on what research is already available in a policy area
  • working in close partnership with external research contractors, other government analysts, and policy colleagues during the course of the research
  • producing both written and oral briefs for policy colleagues and ministers, based on reviews of research evidence
  • responding to external and internal research enquiries from colleagues, government departments, academics, local councils, regional development agencies and members of the public
  • explaining complex ideas and findings in a way that can be easily understood
  • keeping up to date with developments in policy and social issues, as well as qualitative and quantitative research methods
  • delivering presentations at conferences.
What personal requirements will you need?
  • strong social research, social policy and/or numerical skills
  • a strong interest in the policy process and its impact on government decisions
  • a high level of knowledge in the use of database software and specialist packages, such as SPSS
  • strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • an understanding of the political process
  • a high level of motivation and initiative
  • a determination to explore issues thoroughly
  • the ability to think analytically
  • good organisational skills
  • the ability to work well as part of a team.
View full details

Roles and responsibilities

What does a Government Agencies Researcher do?
Government Agencies Researchers may perform the following tasks:
  • working on a range of research projects and employing a variety of different research methodologies (if undertaking research internally)
  • discussing and agreeing project requirements with clients (policy officials, ministers)
  • drafting research specifications
  • agreeing the terms of reference for research
  • commissioning and project-managing research projects
  • commenting on draft research instruments, such as questionnaires, and editing draft reports
  • conducting, or commissioning then analysing, in-depth interviews with members of the public and large-scale data sets
  • managing junior staff (supervising, encouraging and mentoring)
  • ensuring that research is conducted within a set time frame to meet policy requirements
  • managing competitive tendering exercises
  • ensuring quality control of research
  • providing information and analysis on a policy issue and its development
  • providing information on what research is already available in a policy area
  • working in close partnership with external research contractors, other government analysts, and policy colleagues during the course of the research
  • producing both written and oral briefs for policy colleagues and ministers, based on reviews of research evidence
  • responding to external and internal research enquiries from colleagues, government departments, academics, local councils, regional development agencies and members of the public
  • explaining complex ideas and findings in a way that can be easily understood
  • keeping up to date with developments in policy and social issues, as well as qualitative and quantitative research methods
  • delivering presentations at conferences.
What personal requirements will you need?
  • strong social research, social policy and/or numerical skills
  • a strong interest in the policy process and its impact on government decisions
  • a high level of knowledge in the use of database software and specialist packages, such as SPSS
  • strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • an understanding of the political process
  • a high level of motivation and initiative
  • a determination to explore issues thoroughly
  • the ability to think analytically
  • good organisational skills
  • the ability to work well as part of a team.
Undergraduate Courses To Become

Government Agencies Researcher

Recommended major/s to pursue this career

student in front of skeleton Anatomy and Human Biology cell Biochemistry and Molecular Biology students in lab Chemistry Genetics
View all

Undergraduate Courses To Become Government Agencies Researcher

Anatomy and Human Biology

A major in Anatomy and Human Biology will let you discover how your body works, why it works that way, where people come from and how we are related to one another.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Biochemists and molecular biologists are interested in the molecular functions of all living organisms from the smallest bacterium to the largest whale.

Chemistry

Chemistry is central to virtually all areas of modern science and technology, providing a foundation for fields such as biochemistry, chemical engineering, food science, materials science, geology, nanotechnology and pharmacology.

Genetics

Genetics is the study of biologically inherited traits as diverse as those that cause human disease, or allow a rare plant to live in only one isolated spot in the South West, or result in a desirable characteristic found in a domestic animal used in agriculture.

Microbiology and Immunology

Microbes are organisms too small to be seen without a microscope and Microbiology is the study of these organisms and the role they play in health and disease and the environment.

Medical Sciences

Do you want a solid foundation in medical science?

Neuroscience

A major in Neuroscience will allow you to explore how nervous systems work and how nervous system function can be restored after disease and injury to the brain.

Pharmacology

A major in Pharmacology provides a modern understanding of how medicines produce their effects on the body and how such knowledge is used to alleviate suffering caused by disease.

Physiology

Do you differ from a robot? Learn about the molecular and cellular machinery that makes up your body, as well as how it works in everyday life, and what causes disease.

Physics

Physics is the key to understanding the world around us.

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

With Pathology and Laboratory Medicine you can explore the causes and mechanisms of human disease.

Population Health

A major in Population Health will allow you to study the patterns of health and disease in society and to consider what we can do to improve the health of the community.

Psychology (Extended Major)

Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes and behaviour.

Psychological Science

Psychological Science is the scientific study of mental processes and behaviour, and is a challenging and wide-ranging discipline.
Postgraduate Courses To Become

Government Agencies Researcher

Coursework courses to pursue this career

Build your knowledge and skills in the field of sleep science by completing a Graduate Certificate in Adult Sleep Science. Graduate Certificate in Sleep Science If you want an exciting career that stimulates you, challenges you, and rewards you, thena postgraduate degree in science sets you on the right path. Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases Master of Infectious Diseases and Doctor of Philosophy Master of Infectious Diseases
View all

Future Students

Study

Research

Community

Contact Us