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Market research data analyst

Analyse the responses to surveys to find out what people think and feel about issues or products. Report the results to businesses and organisations.

Also known as: statistician, research analyst, market intelligence analyst, data insight professional, data analyst

About skillsGetting in

About the job

Salary

Source: National Careers Service

Weekly

£423

Entry level

£1,154

Experienced

Monthly

£1,833

Entry level

£5,000

Experienced

Yearly

£22,000

Entry level

£60,000

Experienced

16,900

people are currently employed

High growth

900 more jobs in 5 years

These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics

What it's like

You would analyse the responses to surveys to find out what people think and feel about issues or products.

You’d report the results to businesses and organisations and explain what the information means for their sales and services.

It would be important to be able to work confidently with statistics and written information. You would analyse data from market research surveys for clients from industry, business or government.

You’d use your creativity to make the numbers interesting and understandable for people who are not experts.

You would:

  • Speak to clients to understand what they want to know

  • Write proposals describing how you will do the research

  • Advise researchers about survey methods and design

  • Lead teams and projects

  • Check the quality of the data collected

  • Analyse the data using statistical software programs and techniques, spreadsheets and computer models

  • Present the research results through talks, written reports, graphs and tables

  • Explain findings to market research executives, who may not have specialist mathematical or statistical knowledge

  • Help research executives present the information and ideas in a way that clients can understand and use

You’d need to work well with your clients. You might work on several projects with different clients at the same time.

Hours

You'll typically work standard office hours, Monday to Friday, with occasional overtime if necessary to meet project deadlines.

Environment

The work is mainly office-based.

Travel

You may sometimes travel to visit clients.

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Top skills

Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!

It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.

Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:

  • understanding
  • analysing
  • sorting
  • filtering
  • attention to detail
  • researching
  • observation
  • working with numbers
  • problem solving
  • working with technology

Your skills are important

Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.

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Getting in

Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.

Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:

  • Administration and Information Technology

  • Computing Science

  • Maths (Mathematics)

  • Statistics

  • Applications of Mathematics

Most market research data analysts have degrees (SCFQ level 9/10) in statistics or related subjects like maths, business or economics.

If you want to specialise in an area like medical or economic research, you may find it particularly useful to have a master’s degree (MSc) or PhD in statistics or applied statistics. 

For some data analyst roles in other areas of work, your degree may not need to be in statistics but you’ll still need to use computerised statistical packages.

You could start as a junior statistician or analyst perhaps on a structured graduate training scheme offered by some of the larger companies. Alternatively you could start as a research assistant, and move into statistical work after gaining more experience. 

To enter a degree (SCQF level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of three Highers or a relevant HNC/HND.

Knowledge of social media analytics could be useful in some roles.

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