What does a researcher do?

[Eviz]

Hi all,

I'm slowly planning a career change and have realised that I have a strong inclination towards investigative/research type work. I haven't done much of this in my previous public sector job, and have a degree in english/philosophy.. so not sure whether such a background would tie in.

If you 'research' for your job, would you mind telling me a little about what you do?

Thanks

Eviz

depends a lot on what type of research you mean and what subject area. If you are interested in social sciences and/or issues around life in the UK you could take a look at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website - look at some of their reports and, in particular, look at the sections on methodology and at the bios of the authors. (most of them are commissioned rather than written by employees but will give you an idea) In fact you could do that with a whole load of research reports that interest you.

You can research anything, really. There are English researchers, Philosophy researchers etc. but obviously these are confined to academia (and are few and far between) - they usually lecture as well. There are also opportunities for more policy-oriented research where you could be employed by a charity or government institution. There is also obviously business / market research but I know very little about it.

It's probably worth thinking what it is you are interested in researching and whether you want to do the research yourself using datasets or interviews etc (e./g. primary - usually within a University) or would rather collate other people's research in reports etc. You can of course do both. You would probably need to consider an MSc (either in research methods or in an area you are particularly interested in) and many people also go on the a PhD, particularly in a university setting.
Hope this is useful

there's lots of NGOs, think tanks and pressure groups that do primary research too

I was an researcher with an economic development company. It was mainly desk based, trawling the web, govt. sites, stats sites. I loved it. Researchers can be in any field.

True hatwoman - sorry

Thanks for the advice. Policy research sounds interesting. I had dismissed academia mainly because I barely passed my first degree and am not particularly interested in further study in either English or Philosophy.

I am very interested in the idea of an MSc, however. I've just completed a PGdip in Public Sector Management/Leadership with a surprisingly good mark. Surprising because I've always viewed myself as non-academic.

Joseph Rowntree foundation looks very interesting too. Thanks again!

Hi Eviz,

Don't be put off academia by your bachelor's result; maybe the subject and your youth were not conducive to learning?. It sounds like you've already discovered this with your recent PGdip. Research is a great job and people with diverse employment experience bring new and refreshing ideas to the table. I've worked as a researcher for over a decade, not including a lengthy parenthood break. I love the ever changing nature of what I do on a daily basis- from ethics applications to literature search (journal articles) to presentations, data collection, statistical analysis and much more. Whatever sector interests you, you will need to equip yourself with solid skills in methodology and analysis. You can do that via a taught research Masters degree (half lectures and half your own research project) or via on-the-job training. The former is expensive but will enable you to work in and out of academia. If you are lucky enough to find a research training post in the public sector, you'll be doing yourself an injustice by not getting it accredited. Academic research posts are often flexible in that you have a workload to do but where and when you do it can be negotiable (great for mums!). Funding is being cut throughout academic research - so not only go with your own interests but also consider the areas less likely to be shaved - medical research is currently not being hit as hard as others. You don't need medical qual.s to work in this area but you will need a general research qual. Another route in is both volunteer some time at where-ever you're interested in and consider administrative paid work at the same place- probably unaffordable for most of us to do this, but just a thought.

Schmoo, your post has really intrigued me. This is an area I really know nothing about (my previous work has revolved around administration and latterly public sector junior management in the NHS).

I am very keen to use my writing ability (which I believe I have) in my work, but have so far found my recent exploration into the world of copywriting, journalism and and web-content does not match my interest or values.

I feel a rather embarrassing need to prove myself intellectually. Combining research with report writing would be a perfect career for me!

What comes first - the qualification, or the need to identify a field? What's the best way for a layperson to get their head around the application of research?

Thanks so much to all for taking the time to respond. When you've only worked in one or two fields it's difficult to know what other work might be 'out there'..

Eviz

academic research is very hard to get into without a phd - I've been trying. I have several published journal articles, a masters, and 10+ years of working in my sector - lots of academic jobs are advertised as requiring "phd or equivalent" and I'm yet to suss what "equivalent" means.

I think the most honest person I've come across was a secretary who told me, over the phone, and probably beyond her remit "they say "or equivalent" but I think it's unfair because they get people's hopes up when they don;t really mean it"

I've just completed what was effectively a research methods MSc (I did social statistics) and found it extremely useful. I'm doing a PhD now, but it was a great grounding in research methods, as well as providing me with some advances data analysis techniques. My uni also does a medical stats course, incidentally - the grads do to work in the NHS, universities, big pharma etc etc.

advanced

go to work

Pah - can't type!

What about a course like this?

Eviz, trying not to swear but just wrote a lengthy response to you and blimmin 'puter has squished the lot, arghhhh!
Ahem, will compose and try again shortly.

Eviz, The OU course looks good and applicable to general research, you can delve around to find your niche at the same time as studying. Search around university websites and check out their research groups. Most depts hold research seminars every week, it's worth asking if you can attend. Mail one of the professors whose work you're interested in and ask about volunteering for a research apprenticeship - if you can commit to a couple of hours a week, you may be-able to help out on one of the projects. Some hospitals have a dedicated research consultant, you could try the same there. Writing is a very important part of communicating research and knowledge of the literature and methodology are crucial in being able to write publishable work. All researchers have a list of their publications on their uni. page and many have a hyperlink to the actual article - that'll give you an idea about the general structure of the writing.

hatwoman, I know what you mean re 'or equivalent' and it does seem unfair when you're banging out applications for RA posts and a PhD lands the job. But, it doesn't always happen, it's worth persevering, a PhD is highly specialised and if not relevant to the applied-for post, your research experience is on an equal footing with theirs.

Earlier in my career I used to do business research earlier in my career.

Most businesses (esp accountants, lawyers, consultancies) have a librarian and alongside the librarians are the researchers. They know their way around the published information, company filings, financial data, legal information, all sorts really. They often are in charge of disseminating knowledge around the firm via intranets and newslatters etc.

Not great pay and most of the jobs are in London. Sometimes you need a degree in information management or librarianship. But worth trying the TFPL website to have a look at what's out there.

I'm a qualitative consumer market researcher, work for retail and FMCG companies primarily, but also across finance, telecommunications and have dabbled in media research. I run projects, from study design, recruitment and discussion guide documents, focus group moderation, analysis and debriefs. Work across packaging, new product development, department reviews, shopper behaviour and insights, branding etc.

Very different from the academic and social research, which is much more in-depth and lengthy. The projects I work on are typically 6 focus groups, about 6 weeks from start to finish and I am working on different projects at a time.

HTH - happy to give more information if needed. Good luck whatever you decide.