Survey Researchers

Data Analyst

Field Interviewer

Market Survey Representative

Methodologist

Public Opinion Analyst

Research Associate

Research Fellow

Research Interviewer

Survey Research Consultant

Telephone Interviewer

What is a Survey Researcher?

Survey Researchers are professionals who design, conduct, and analyze surveys to gather data regarding opinions, behaviors, or demographics of a population. They play a crucial role in various fields including market research, social science, public health, and political polling. Their work involves formulating research questions, crafting survey instruments, managing the data collection process, and interpreting the results. Utilizing statistical software and methodologies, Survey Researchers provide insights that inform decision-making for businesses, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations. Their expertise not only contributes to understanding public sentiments but also aids in policy formulation and strategic planning.

Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$30790.0 - $107790.0

New job opportunities are less likely in the future. : Below Average

Finding local jobs...

Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

Related Occupations

Tasks

Review, classify, and record survey data in preparation for computer analysis.
Monitor and evaluate survey progress and performance, using sample disposition reports and response rate calculations.
Produce documentation of the questionnaire development process, data collection methods, sampling designs, and decisions related to sample statistical weighting.
Prepare and present summaries and analyses of survey data, including tables, graphs, and fact sheets that describe survey techniques and results.
Determine and specify details of survey projects, including sources of information, procedures to be used, and the design of survey instruments and materials.

Technology Skills

Analytical or scientific software
Presentation software
- COMCON DataFriend
- DATAN Merlin Fastab
- Microsoft PowerPoint 365
- QPSMR Limited Reflect
Data base user interface and query software
- Apian SurveyPro
- Database software
- Gamma Associates mTab
- Microsoft Access 365
Object or component oriented development software
- C++20
- Java SE
- Perl
- R
Project management software
- Microsoft Project Online
- Microsoft Teams
- Perseus SurveySolutions

Tools Used

Scanners
Notebook computers
Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers
- Personal digital assistants PDA
Laser printers
Optical character recognition systems
- Optical character readers

Knowledge

English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

47 Active Jobs in South Africa

Avg Salary: R33,344pm

Determining Your Readiness for a Career as a Survey Researcher in South Africa

The field of data science and social research is currently thriving in South Africa. With 37 active job openings and a robust salary trajectory, there has never been a more opportune time to enter the profession. Our latest market data indicates that the average salary is R33,344pm, with senior roles and specialised niches seeing a steady climb. In fact, industry trends show monthly remuneration packages scaling from approximately R29,343 at the start of 2024 to an impressive R36,679 by December 2024. If you have a passion for uncovering the "why" behind human behaviour and economic trends, you may be standing on the threshold of a rewarding career.

Is Survey Research Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Success in this field requires a specific blend of cognitive abilities and personality traits. Review the following checklist to see if your natural inclinations align with the demands of the role:

Analytical Rigour: Do you enjoy finding patterns in complex information and "connecting the dots"?
Ethical Integrity: Are you committed to maintaining confidentiality and adhering to the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)?
Meticulous Attention to Detail: Do you spot errors in data or logic that others usually overlook?
Cultural Intelligence: In the diverse South African landscape, can you communicate effectively and empathetically across different linguistic and socio-economic backgrounds?
Persistence: Are you comfortable with the repetitive nature of data cleaning and the patience required for longitudinal studies?
Technical Aptitude: Do you have an affinity for software tools and a desire to master statistical programmes?

A Day in the Life: The South African Context

In South Africa, a Survey Researcher’s day is seldom static. You might begin your morning in a high-paced corporate office in Sandton or a research NGO in Cape Town, refining a digital questionnaire designed to capture consumer sentiment. By midday, you could be coordinating with field teams conducting door-to-door interviews in peri-urban areas or rural communities to ensure the sample size is representative of our "Rainbow Nation."

The afternoon is often dedicated to data processing—analysing responses through a local lens. You aren't just looking at numbers; you are interpreting how inflation, loadshedding, or transport challenges affect the daily lives of citizens. The day typically concludes with the preparation of a report or a visual dashboard that helps stakeholders, such as government departments or private firms, make evidence-based decisions.

Education and Strategic Upskilling

To enter this profession, a solid academic foundation is essential, but it is the commitment to continuous learning that ensures longevity. In South Africa, the traditional route involves a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Statistics, Psychology, or Economics from a recognised university. Those pursuing more technical fieldwork may find relevant diplomas through TVET colleges.

However, the modern South African researcher must look beyond a basic degree. You should consider:

Formal Honours or Masters: Highly recommended for those wishing to lead projects or specialise in advanced psychometrics.
Short Courses and Certifications: Gaining proficiency in tools like SPSS, STATA, R, or Python is no longer optional. Online platforms and local institutions offer intensive programmes in Big Data and Data Visualisation.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD): The industry evolves rapidly. Attending workshops on the latest survey methodologies and digital data collection tools is vital to remain competitive in a market where technology is constantly shifting the goalposts.

Next Steps: Take the Leap

Recognising that you have the interest is the first step, but validating your aptitude is what will set you apart from other candidates. If the prospect of shaping South Africa’s future through data excites you, it is time to move from curiosity to action. Test your readiness now by taking our comprehensive professional assessment to see if you are truly prepared to embark on a career as a Survey Researcher.

Skills

Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Abilities

Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Mathematical Reasoning
The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

Bachelor's degree

46 %
Master's degree

38 %
Post-baccalaureate certificate

4 %

Awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master

Work Activities

Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Analyzing Data or Information
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Processing Information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Detailed Work Activities

Classify organisms based on their characteristics or behavior.
Record research or operational data.
Prepare operational reports.
Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
Plan social sciences research.

Work Interests

Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.