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What is a Research Analyst?

Carol Francois
Carol Francois

A research analyst is a professional who is responsible for reviewing, collecting, and reporting on a variety of data sets and information sources. Analysts are very common in the sciences, particularly in pharmaceutical research, though they exist in almost any discipline that deals with data or information assessment over time. In most cases, research analysts have at least graduate-level education, as well as a great deal of experience within their subject area. Their reports are often used to drive new innovations or direct future developments.

Areas of Work

An analyst must collect and review various data sets.
An analyst must collect and review various data sets.

Work for research analysts is most plentiful in disciplines that rely on data for making decisions. The financial and banking industries, as well as many business strategists, hire analysts with some regularity. There also tend to be plentiful openings in the sciences, where test results and experimental outcomes must be documented, analyzed, and often codified.

Main Goals and Purposes

The sciences, especially the pharmaceutical industry, rely on research analysts.
The sciences, especially the pharmaceutical industry, rely on research analysts.

Most researchers work as members of information-gathering teams. They correlate and analyze data both internally and externally, and validate information against trade publications and other leading papers in order to provide support and validity to current theories or hypotheses.

Analysts typically compile the data they find into comprehensive reports for executives and, in some cases, corporate shareholders. Detailed data sets are usually very important when it comes to learning from the past and making reasoned predictions about the future. Executives often use the information in analysts’ reports to make decisions about investments and new projects.

Giving Advice and Making Statements

Technology in an increasingly important tool for research analysts.
Technology in an increasingly important tool for research analysts.

In many companies, researchers are treated as “resident experts” when it comes to understanding various facts and figures. They are often called upon to answer questions about future outlooks, as well as to speak to the progress of certain projects or tests. Depending on the company, analysts may also be some of the first people to speak to the members of the media about new developments or discoveries.

Educational Requirements

Research analysts collect, review and report on data for a specific field or industry.
Research analysts collect, review and report on data for a specific field or industry.

Nearly all research analyst enter the profession as a full-time career. Substantial subject matter experience is usually essential, which often begins with a graduate degree. It is rare to find an analyst without a master’s degree, doctorate degree, or equivalent.

In most cases, the high educational threshold ensures that all analysts have a deep understanding of the information they are dealing with. Companies often want only highly trained people providing advice about what numbers, test results, and data sets mean in a larger sense.

Other Needed Skills

Research analysts may use textbooks and other published materials to collect data.
Research analysts may use textbooks and other published materials to collect data.

A research analyst also typically needs to have excellent critical thinking and technical skills. Critical thinking skills can be difficult to quantify, but are usually described as investigation tools and techniques that validate a theory against a clear line of logic. These are mostly mental, and are honed over time.

Technical skills, on the other hand, are usually related to the actual methods of gathering and reporting on data. Spreadsheet use, mathematical ability, and an understanding of statistics all fall within this category. Data organization and presentation, whether through charts, graphs, or written reports, is also needed.

Use of Technology

Research analysts are increasingly relying on computers and technology-driven platforms for data correlation. Understanding how to use statistical software programs and certain online tools is often part of the “technical skills” requirement, particularly in the sciences. Knowing the nuances of these programs is not usually required at the outset, but having some familiarity with the available technology and how to operate it is usually an asset.

Gaining Experience

Most research analysts build the foundation of their technical and critical thinking skills in graduate school, but usually enter the profession with more experience than just academic credentials. Sometimes this comes through student internships alongside established researchers, but more often it comes from simply working in the field. It is not uncommon for a research analyst to begin his or her career in an office or lab job, then transition after several years to data and informational specialties.

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Discussion Comments

anon270581

I'm a postgraduate student in biomedical sciences. Is there any way to get into a research analyst job?

anon208037

For investment or research analyst positions, is it better to get a specialized MBA or a Masters degree?

anon165620

I am currently pursuing CFP course and I have completed my graduation in B.A.(H) Economics. I wanted to become a research analyst in finance, will this course be of help?

anon128101

What tasks do you think a Research Analyst would do for a games company, i.e. Nintendo or Sega etc.?

naturesgurl3

What is a fixed income research analyst? My brother is considering becoming a research analyst, but it seems like he can only find information about senior research analyst positions.

Does anybody have more info for me?

Thanks!

Charlie89

@CopperPipe -- It sounds like you might be a good fit for a finance research analyst or investment research analyst.

I would encourage you to look around at companies either in your area, or in the area in which you would like to work, and ask if they offer any internship programs.

However, if you are in a graduate program specializing in research analysis, they should also offer you some "ins" to the industry.

If you are not in a graduate program, I would say that your best bet to get into this industry is to join one.

As the article says, a post-graduate education is critical for this kind of work, and no company is likely to hire you without at least a graduate degree.

CopperPipe

Do they have internships for this kind of thing? I really enjoy reading and analyzing data, particularly as it relates to business, but I'm not sure how to get into the field.

Does anybody have any advice? Do I just need to start looking for research analyst jobs, or is there a better way to start?

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    • An analyst must collect and review various data sets.
      By: bloomua
      An analyst must collect and review various data sets.
    • The sciences, especially the pharmaceutical industry, rely on research analysts.
      By: auremar
      The sciences, especially the pharmaceutical industry, rely on research analysts.
    • Technology in an increasingly important tool for research analysts.
      By: Syda Productions
      Technology in an increasingly important tool for research analysts.
    • Research analysts collect, review and report on data for a specific field or industry.
      By: ruigsantos
      Research analysts collect, review and report on data for a specific field or industry.
    • Research analysts may use textbooks and other published materials to collect data.
      By: Creativa
      Research analysts may use textbooks and other published materials to collect data.