Buy ONET/DOT: Download
TITLE: Political Scientists
DEFINITION: Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. Research a wide range of subjects, such as relations between countries, the beliefs and institutions of nations, the politics of small towns or a major metropolis. May study topics such as public opinion, political decision making, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments as well as various political entities. May conduct a public opinion survey, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.
TASKS:
1. Conducts research into political philosophy and theories of political systems, such as governmental institutions, public laws, and international law.
2. Analyzes and interprets results of studies, and prepares reports detailing findings, recommendations, or conclusions.
3. Consults with government officials, civic bodies, research agencies, and political parties.
4. Organizes and conducts public opinion surveys and interprets results.
5. Recommends programs and policies to institutions and organizations.
6. Prepares reports detailing findings and conclusions.
KNOWLEDGE:
Knowledge elements are ranked by importance.
96 Law, Government and Jurisprudence
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process
54 English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
46 Communications and Media
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods including alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media
46 Philosophy and Theology
Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions, including their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, and practices, and their impact on human culture
46 Mathematics
Knowledge of numbers, their operations, and interrelationships including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications
42 History and Archeology
Knowledge of past historical events and their causes, indicators, and impact on particular civilizations and cultures
42 Sociology and Anthropology
Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, cultures, their history, migrations, ethnicity, and origins
33 Clerical
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing systems, filing and records management systems, stenography and transcription, forms design principles, and other office procedures and terminology
33 Administration and Management
Knowledge of principles and processes involved in business and organizational planning, coordination, and execution. This includes strategic planning, resource allocation, manpower modeling, leadership techniques, and production methods
33 Geography
Knowledge of various methods for describing the location and distribution of land, sea, and air masses including their physical locations, relationships, and characteristics
29 Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of electric circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming
25 Education and Training
Knowledge of instructional methods and training techniques including curriculum design principles, learning theory, group and individual teaching techniques, design of individual development plans, and test design principles
25 Economics and Accounting
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data
25 Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance, mental processes, psychological research methods, and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders
21 Telecommunications
Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems
13 Personnel and Human Resources
Knowledge of policies and practices involved in personnel/human resource functions. This includes recruitment, selection, training, and promotion regulations and procedures; compensation and benefits packages; labor relations and negotiation strategies; and personnel information systems
13 Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services including needs assessment techniques, quality service standards, alternative delivery systems, and customer satisfaction evaluation techniques
13 Foreign Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation
4 Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods involved in showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategies and tactics, product demonstration and sales techniques, and sales control systems
SKILLS:
Skills elements are ranked by importance.
96 Writing
Communicating effectively with others in writing as indicated by the needs of the audience
92 Information Gathering
Knowing how to find information and identifying essential information
88 Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents
79 Critical Thinking
Using logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
75 Speaking
Talking to others to effectively convey information
71 Information Organization
Finding ways to structure or classify multiple pieces of information
67 Active Listening
Listening to what other people are saying and asking questions as appropriate
67 Synthesis/Reorganization
Reorganizing information to get a better approach to problems or tasks
67 Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems
63 Idea Evaluation
Evaluating the likely success of an idea in relation to the demands of the situation
63 Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react the way they do
63 Active Learning
Working with new material or information to grasp its implications
63 Identifying Downstream Consequences
Determining the long-term outcomes of a change in operations
63 Systems Perception
Determining when important changes have occurred in a system or are likely to occur
58 Problem Identification
Identifying the nature of problems
58 Implementation Planning
Developing approaches for implementing an idea
58 Identification of Key Causes
Identifying the things that must be changed to achieve a goal
58 Idea Generation
Generating a number of different approaches to problems
54 Visioning
Developing an image of how a system should work under ideal conditions
54 Judgment and Decision Making
Weighing the relative costs and benefits of a potential action
42 Product Inspection
Inspecting and evaluating the quality of products
42 Systems Evaluation
Looking at many indicators of system performance, taking into account their accuracy
42 Operations Analysis
Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design
38 Learning Strategies
Using multiple approaches when learning or teaching new things
38 Solution Appraisal
Observing and evaluating the outcomes of a problem solution to identify lessons learned or redirect efforts
33 Programming
Writing computer programs for various purposes
29 Monitoring
Assessing how well one is doing when learning or doing something
25 Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions
25 Science
Using scientific methods to solve problems
21 Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others
17 Equipment Selection
Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job
17 Instructing
Teaching others how to do something
17 Persuasion
Persuading others to approach things differently
13 Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people
13 Negotiation
Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences
4 Troubleshooting
Determining what is causing an operating error and deciding what to do about it
4 Installation
Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications
4 Testing
Conducting tests to determine whether equipment, software, or procedures are operating as expected
4 Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems
4 Management of Personnel Resources
Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job
4 Management of Material Resources
Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work
4 Management of Financial Resources
Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures
4 Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed .
ABILITIES:
Abilities elements are ranked by importance.
85 Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing
80 Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
75 Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand
75 Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand
70 Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine separate pieces of information, or specific answers to problems, to form general rules or conclusions. It includes coming up with a logical explanation for why a series of seemingly unrelated events occur together.
70 Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to come up with logical answers. It involves deciding if an answer makes sense.
60 Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so that it is understandable to a listener
60 Near Vision
The ability to see details of objects at a close range (within a few feet of the observer)
50 Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person
50 Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
45 Fluency of Ideas
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a given topic. It concerns the number of ideas produced and not the quality, correctness, or creativity of the ideas.
45 Speed of Closure
The ability to quickly make sense of information that seems to be without meaning or organization. It involves quickly combining and organizing different pieces of information into a meaningful pattern
45 Mathematical Reasoning
The ability to understand and organize a problem and then to select a mathematical method or formula to solve the problem
40 Number Facility
The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly
40 Originality
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem
35 Information Ordering
The ability to correctly follow a given rule or set of rules in order to arrange things or actions in a certain order. The things or actions can include numbers, letters, words, pictures, procedures, sentences, and mathematical or logical operations.
35 Auditory Attention
The ability to focus on a single source of auditory (hearing) information in the presence of other distracting sounds
30 Flexibility of Closure
The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material
30 Category Flexibility
The ability to produce many rules so that each rule tells how to group (or combine) a set of things in a different way.
30 Trunk Strength
The ability to use one's abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing
25 Memorization
The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures
20 Wrist-Finger Speed
The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists
15 Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects
10 Selective Attention
The ability to concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task over a period of time
10 Far Vision
The ability to see details at a distance
10 Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged
5 Response Orientation
The ability to choose quickly and correctly between two or more movements in response to two or more signals (lights, sounds, pictures, etc.). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body parts
5 Perceptual Speed
The ability to quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object
5 Hearing Sensitivity
The ability to detect or tell the difference between sounds that vary over broad ranges of pitch and loudness
5 Sound Localization
The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated
5 Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly make coordinated movements of one hand, a hand together with its arm, or two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects
5 Time Sharing
The ability to efficiently shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources)
WORK ACTIVITIES:
Work activities elements are ranked by importance.
83 Analyzing Data or Information
Identifying underlying principles, reasons, or facts by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
79 Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
Providing consultation and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-related, or process related topics.
79 Processing Information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, verifying, or processing information or data.
75 Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information received by making estimates or categorizations, recognizing differences or similarities, or sensing changes in circumstances or events.
75 Communicating With Persons Outside Organization
Communicating with persons outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged face-to-face, in writing, or via telephone/electronic transfer.
75 Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
71 Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Combining, evaluating, and reasoning with information and data to make decisions and solve problems. These processes involve making decisions about the relative importance of information and choosing the best solution.
71 Communicating With Other Workers
Providing information to supervisors, fellow workers, and subordinates. This information can be exchanged face-to-face, in writing, or via telephone/electronic transfer.
63 Judging Qualities of Things, Services, or People
Making judgments about or assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
58 Implementing Ideas or Programs
Conducting or carrying out work procedures and activities in accord with one's own ideas or information provided through directions/instructions for purposes of installing, modifying, preparing, delivering, constructing, integrating, finishing, or completing programs, systems, structures, or products.
54 Interpreting Meaning of Information to Others
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be understood or used to support responses or feedback to others.
50 Updating and Using Job-Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and knowing one's own jobs' and related jobs' functions.
50 Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing
Developing plans to accomplish work, and prioritizing and organizing one's own work.
50 Evaluating Information Against Standards
Evaluating information against a set of standards and verifying that it is correct.
46 Establishing and Maintaining Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.
42 Monitor Processes, Material, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, often to detect problems or to find out when things are finished.
42 Estimating Needed Characteristics
Estimating the Characteristics of Materials, Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities, or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
42 Developing Objectives and Strategies
Establishing long range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve these objectives.
42 Interacting With Computers
Controlling computer functions by using programs, setting up functions, writing software, or otherwise communicating with computer systems.
38 Thinking Creatively
Originating, inventing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
33 Documenting or Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in either written form or by electronic/magnetic recording.
29 Resolving Conflict or Negotiating with Others
Handling complaints, arbitrating disputes, and resolving grievances, or otherwise negotiating with others.
29 Handling and Moving Objects
Using one's own hands and arms in handling, installing, forming, positioning, and moving materials, or in manipulating things, including the use of keyboards.
29 Teaching Others
Identifying educational needs, developing formal training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
25 Performing Administrative Activities
Approving requests, handling paperwork, and performing day-to-day administrative tasks.
25 Selling or Influencing Others
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods, or otherwise changing their minds or actions.
21 Scheduling Work and Activities
Scheduling events, programs, activities, as well as the work of others.
21 Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
Inspecting or diagnosing equipment, structures, or materials to identify the causes of errors or other problems or defects.
17 Coaching and Developing Others
Identifying developmental needs of others and coaching or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
17 Performing For or Working With Public
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public, including serving persons in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
17 Coordinating Work and Activities of Others
Coordinating members of a work group to accomplish tasks.
13 Monitoring and Controlling Resources
Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
13 Performing General Physical Activities
Performing physical activities that require moving one's whole body, such as in climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, where the activities often also require considerable use of the arms and legs, such as in the physical handling of materials.
8 Guiding, Directing and Motivating Subordinates
Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring subordinates.
4 Developing and Building Teams
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
4 Controlling Machines and Processes
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
4 Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing assistance or personal care to others.
4 Staffing Organizational Units
Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting persons for the organization.
WORK CONTEXT:
Work context elements are ranked by frequency (F), importance (I), responsibility (R), amount of contact (C), how serious (S), objective vs. subjective (O), automation (A), extent of frustration (E), responsible for health and safety (H), likelihood of injury (L), degree of injury (D) .
95 (F) Indoors
How frequently does this job require the worker to work: Indoors
85 (F) Sitting
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Sitting?
60 (I) Importance of Being Aware of New Events
How important is being constantly aware of either frequently changing events (e.g. security guard watching for shoplifters) or infrequent events (e.g. radar operator watching for tornadoes) to performing this job?
60 (I) Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
57 (C) Job-Required Social Interaction
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) with others in order to perform it?
53 (O) Objective or Subjective Information
How objective or subjective is the information communicated in this job?
48 (I) Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
How important is it to be sure that all the details of this job are performed and everything is done completely?
40 (F) Standing
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Standing?
32 (I) Coordinate or Lead Others
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities (not supervision)?
32 (I) Take a Position Opposed to Others
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Take a position opposed to coworkers or others?
32 (I) Persuade Someone to a Course of Action
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Persuade someone to a course of action (informally) or influence others to buy something (to sell)?
30 (F) Frequency in Conflict Situations
How frequently do the job requirements place the worker in conflict situations?
25 (F) Walking or Running
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Walking or running?
25 (F) Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
24 (I) Deal With External Customers
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Deal with external customers (e.g., retail sales) or the public in general (e.g., police work)?
23 (S) Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
20 (E) Frustrating Circumstances
To what extent do frustrating circumstances ("road blocks" to work that are beyond the worker's control) hinder the accomplishment of this job?
12 (I) Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
12 (I) Provide a Service to Others
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Provide a service to others (e.g., customers)?
11 (R) Responsibility for Outcomes and Results
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
10 (F) Deal With Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
10 (F) Sounds or Noise Levels Are Distracting
How often during a usual work period is the worker exposed to the following conditions: Sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable?
6 (L) Hazardous Situations
What is the likelihood that the worker would be injured as a result of being exposed to hazardous situations while performing this job? Hazardous Situations involving likely cuts, bites, stings, or minor burns
5 (F) Hazardous Situations
How often does this job require the worker to be exposed to harardous situations? Hazardous Situations involving likely cuts, bites, stings, or minor burns
5 (F) Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting
How often during a usual work period is the worker exposed to the following conditions: Extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
5 (F) Using Hands on Objects, Tools, Controls
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
5 (F) Bending or Twisting the Body
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Bending or twisting the body?
5 (F) Outdoors
How frequently does this job require the worker to work: Outdoors
5 (F) Very Hot
How often during a usual work period is the worker exposed to the following conditions: Very hot (above 90 F) or very cold (under 32 F) temperatures?
4 (I) Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
4 (D) Hazardous Situations
If injury, due to exposure to hazardous situations, were to occur while performing this job, how serious would be the likely outcome? Hazardous Situations involving likely cuts, bites, stings, or minor burns
4 (I) Supervise, Coach, Train Others
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Supervise, coach, train, or develop other employees?
3 (A) Degree of Automation
Indicate the level of automation of this job.
INTERESTS:
Interest elements are ranked by occupational interest.
89 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.
50 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.
44 Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
39 Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
39 Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
22 Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
WORK VALUES:
Work values elements are ranked by extent.
79 Independence-Mean Extent
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
69 Achievement-Mean Extent
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.
64 Working Conditions-Mean Extent
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
51 Recognition-Mean Extent
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.
36 Relationships-Mean Extent
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
26 Support-Mean Extent
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
91 Autonomy
Workers on this job plan their work with little supervision
81 Working Conditions
Workers on this job have good working conditions
75 Responsibility
Workers on this job make decisions on their own
72 Creativity
Workers on this job try out their own ideas
72 Ability Utilization
Workers on this job make use of their individual abilities
66 Achievement
Workers on this job get a feeling of accomplishment
63 Compensation
Workers on this job are paid well in comparison with other workers
63 Security
Workers on this job have steady employment
59 Recognition
Workers on this job receive recognition for the work they do
59 Independence
Workers on this job do their work alone
59 Activity
Workers on this job are busy all the time
59 Variety
Workers on this job have something different to do every day
56 Social Status
Workers on this job are looked up to by others in their company and their community
50 Advancement
Workers on this job have opportunities for advancement
41 Moral Values
Workers on this job are never pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong
41 Co-workers
Workers on this job have co-workers who are easy to get along with
38 Company Policies and Practices
Workers on this job are treated fairly by the company
38 Authority
Workers on this job give directions and instructions to others
31 Supervision, Human Relations
Workers on this job have supervisors who back up their workers with management
28 Social Service
Workers on this job have work where they do things for other people
9 Supervision, Technical
Workers on this job have supervisors who train their workers well
CROSSWALKS:
| DOT91 (Dictionary of Occupational Titles): |
051067010 Political Scientist |
| AIM97 (Apprenticeship Information Management): |
No crosswalks |
| CEN90 (1990 Census Occupations): |
169 Social Scientists, N.E.C. |
| CIP90 (Classification of Instructional Programs): |
451001 Political Science, General 450901 International Relations and Affairs 451002 American Government and Politics 451099 Political Science and Government, Other |
| GOE93 (Guide for Occupational Exploration): |
110302 Social Research: Sociological |
| MOC97 (Military Occupational Codes): |
No crosswalks |
| OES98 (Occupational Employment Statistics): |
27199 All Other Social Scientists |
| OPM97 (Office of Personnel Management Occupations): |
0130 Foreign Affairs 0131 International Relations 0160 Civil Rights Analysis 0101 Social Science 0136 International Cooperation 0199 Social Science Student Trainee |
| SOC98 (Standard Occupational Classification): |
19-3094 Political Scientists |
