What Does a Research Analyst Do? A Day in the Life

Janice is a research analyst who uses her superpowers of data gathering and analysis to help businesses, organizations, and government agencies make informed decisions. She’s a modern-day detective, scouring the internet for clues and conducting primary research through surveys and focus groups. Janice is the ultimate fact-checker, carefully evaluating the credibility and relevance of different sources before adding them to her report. And she’s not just a one-trick pony – she’s skilled in using a mix of quantitative and qualitative data to get a complete understanding of a topic. She has access to all sorts of software tools like R, SAS, python, and Excel, and she’s not afraid to use them. And let’s not forget about the Census Bureau – everyone’s go-to data – Janice knows how to get her hands on valuable public data.

Many interesting projects have come across Janice’s desk. One project comes to mind earlier on in her career. Janice was an economic research analyst at a consulting firm in New York City. She had always been interested in issues related to housing and urban development, so when her boss asked her to take on a research project that involved analyzing data from the U.S. Census, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and The National Low Income Housing Coalition, she was excited to dive in. 

As Janice began to dig into the data, she quickly realized that the problem of unaffordable housing was far more widespread and complex than she originally thought. Many families were being priced out of their neighborhoods, forced to move to more distant suburbs where they could barely afford to rent a single bedroom apartment. Janice knew that this was not only a huge problem for the families affected, but it was also having a negative impact on the economy as a whole. 

Determined to find a solution, Janice spent long hours poring over the data, looking for trends and patterns that might suggest a way forward. After weeks of intensive research, she finally found a mentor that could help and eventually lead to a breakthrough: a policy that would provide tax incentives to developers who built affordable housing in high-demand areas. Excited by the potential of her idea, Janice presented her findings to her boss, who quickly arranged a meeting with city officials to discuss the proposal. Thanks to Janice’s hard work, the policy was soon put into place, and within a few years, the number of affordable housing units in the city doubled. 

If you’re a research analyst like Janice, you know the importance of having access to the right tools, resources, and connections to succeed in your work. That’s where C2ER comes in. As a member, you’ll have the opportunity to network with other researchers, gain access to valuable databases like the Cost of Living Index and State Incentives Database, and take advantage of professional development opportunities like the annual conference, webinars, and training courses. Don’t miss out on the chance to enhance your skills and advance your career. Join C2ER today and see what a difference it can make in your work as a research analyst. 

Disclaimer: The individuals and events referenced in this email are fictional and are only meant to represent typical occurrences and relatable experiences of individuals in the industry to be used for C2ER promotional purposes.