Political Scientists
Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Teach political science.
- Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
- Identify issues for research and analysis.
- Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.
- Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software:Data visualization software,DataMystic TextPipe Pro,IBM SPSS Statistics,JudgeIt II,SAS statistical software,StataCorp Stata,WinBUGS
- Business intelligence and data analysis software:Tableau
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software:Microsoft SharePoint
- Data base management system software:Bare Bones Software BBEdit,IDM Computer Solutions UltraEdit
- Data base user interface and query software:CQ Press Political Reference Suite,FedStats,Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) database,Library of Congress E-resources Online Catalog,Microsoft Access,Structure query language SQL
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- 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.
- Training and Teaching Others:Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others:Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Detailed Work Activities
- Advise others on matters of public policy.
- Conduct research on social issues.
- Develop theories or models of physical phenomena.
- Evaluate civic projects or public policies.
- Forecast economic, political, or social trends.
Work Context
- Electronic Mail:97% responded"Every day"
- Structured versus Unstructured Work:90% responded"A lot of freedom"
- Freedom to Make Decisions:87% responded"A lot of freedom"
- Public Speaking:73% responded"Once a week or more but not every day"
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:70% responded"Every day"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Reading Comprehension:Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Speaking:Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- 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.
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Writing:Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Knowledge
- Law and Government:Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
- English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Education and Training:Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- History and Archeology:Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
- Sociology and Anthropology:Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 73%Doctoral Degree
- 13%Master's Degree
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Written Comprehension:The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Oral Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Inductive Reasoning:The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Oral Comprehension:The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Speech Clarity:The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Interests
- Investigative:Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Artistic:Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
- Social:Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Work Values
- Achievement:Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Working Conditions:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
- Recognition:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Work Styles
- Analytical Thinking:Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
- Independence:Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
- Achievement/Effort:Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
- Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Initiative:Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
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