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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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41409.06 – Political scientists

Political scientists conduct research into the theory, origin, development, interrelationships and functioning of political institutions, political movements and individual political behaviour.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Political scientist

Core competencies

  • Writing to communicate research results through academic publications, written reports or policy papers for government use
  • Learning and Teaching Strategies to teach the meaning and application of political concepts, ideas, theories and philosophies
  • Verbal Ability and Speech Clarity to present research on topics in political science to various audiences, including the public, institutions and organizations
  • Information Ordering to organize information from surveys and other data for analysis, synthesis and interpretation in order to evaluate its implications for society and political institutions
  • Analytical Thinking to analyze qualitative and quantitative data to develop theories on the nuances of the principles and power relations that impact social life or other topics in political science, such as political philosophy, theory and practice of political systems and institutions
  • Knowledge in Humanities to understand the principles, theories and methods used to conduct research on institutions, political processes, and public policy and law relating to domestic and international politics

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Conduct research into the theory, origin, development, interrelationships and functioning of political institutions, political movements and individual political behaviour.

Additional information

  • Specialize in particular areas of social sciences and humanities disciplines. These include gerontologists (specialists in the phenomena and problems of aging), graphoanalysts (specialists in handwriting analysis) and others.
  • Specialization usually exists within each of these occupations and is usually obtained through university study or through experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • College and other vocational instructors (41210)
  • Economists and economic policy researchers and analysts (41401)
  • Secondary school teachers (41220)
  • Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers (41403)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.