Public Administration & LegalISCO 2632
Media scientist
Media scientists research the role and impact that media has on the society. They observe and document the usage of different kinds of media such as newspapers, radio and TV and the response from society.
Check yourself in a minute: media scientist
Rate 5 of the 41 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
manage research data
interact professionally in research and professional environments
disseminate results to the scientific community
operate open source software
speak different languages
About media scientist
As a media scientist, you will conduct rigorous research examining how media shapes society and influences human behavior. Your work involves designing and executing comprehensive research projects, analyzing media consumption patterns across different demographics, and documenting societal responses to various media types including traditional journalism, digital platforms, radio, and television. You will draw on theories from communication studies, sociology, and psychology to understand the complex relationships between media and society. Your research findings are presented to academic audiences and may inform policy discussions at institutional and governmental levels.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a media scientist.
1
Research Design and Planning
- Design comprehensive research methodologies and frameworks for media studies
- Develop research questions and hypotheses related to media impact
- Apply scientific research methodology principles to media analysis
- Define study populations, sampling methods, and data collection procedures
2
Data Collection and Analysis
- Conduct surveys, interviews, and focus groups on media consumption
- Observe and document media usage patterns across diverse populations
- Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate statistical tools
- Manage and organize large research datasets for analysis
- Track and evaluate societal responses to media coverage and events
3
Media Analysis and Documentation
- Analyze content from newspapers, television, radio, and digital media
- Study types of media and their specific characteristics and impacts
- Document emerging trends in digital media and online platforms
- Compare media landscapes across different countries and time periods
4
Research Dissemination and Communication
- Draft scientific and academic papers reporting research findings
- Present research at academic conferences and professional venues
- Disseminate results to the scientific community through publications
- Communicate research findings to policymakers and the general public
5
Ethical and Regulatory Compliance
- Follow ethical code of conduct for journalism and media research
- Ensure understanding and compliance with copyright legislation
- Protect research participant confidentiality and informed consent
- Maintain research integrity and transparent reporting of methods
6
Technical Competency and Professional Development
- Operate open source software and research tools for data analysis
- Manage findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR) data
- Speak different languages to access international media sources
- Evaluate research activities and measure impact on science and society
- Demonstrate disciplinary expertise and keep knowledge current
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (41)
literatureliteratureThe body of artistic writing characterized by beauty of expression, form, and universality of intellectual and emotional appeal.media studiesmedia studiesAcademic field dealing with the history, content, and impact of diverse media with a special focus on mass communication.ethical code of conduct of journalistsethical code of conduct of journalistsThe principles and rules by which journalist must abide when covering news events, such as freedom of speech, the right to be heard, and objectiveness.communication studiescommunication studiesThe academic field of study that researches the processes of human interaction and communication through different media and how that communication is interpreted on a political, economic, cultural, s...research designresearch designThe set of methods and techniques of research that are used to conduct a study. It includes practical steps in research such as purpose statement, data collection, methodology, and data analysis.scientific literaturescientific literatureThe medium of informing the scientific community, including academic researchers, about the results of scientific research. It constitutes a permanent and cumulative collection of all the findings of ...types of mediatypes of mediaThe means of mass communication, such as television, journals, and radio, that reach and influence the majority of the public.digital mediadigital mediaThe set of medias that are transmitted through electronic devices.copyright legislationcopyright legislationLegislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.scientific research methodologyscientific research methodologyThe theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationdraft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationDraft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.manage research datamanage research dataProduce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be fami...interact professionally in research and professional environmentsinteract professionally in research and professional environmentsShow consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.disseminate results to the scientific communitydisseminate results to the scientific communityPublicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.operate open source softwareoperate open source softwareOperate Open Source software, knowing the main Open Source models, licensing schemes, and the coding practices commonly adopted in the production of Open Source software.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.evaluate research activitiesevaluate research activitiesReview proposals, progress, impact and outcomes of peer researchers, including through open peer review.demonstrate disciplinary expertisedemonstrate disciplinary expertiseDemonstrate deep knowledge and complex understanding of a specific research area, including responsible research, research ethics and scientific integrity principles, privacy and GDPR requirements, re...increase the impact of science on policy and societyincrease the impact of science on policy and societyInfluence evidence-informed policy and decision making by providing scientific input to and maintaining professional relationships with policymakers and other stakeholders.manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable datamanage findable accessible interoperable and reusable dataProduce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessar...perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.apply for research fundingapply for research fundingIdentify key relevant funding sources and prepare research grant application in order to obtain funds and grants. Write research proposals.consult information sourcesconsult information sourcesConsult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.apply scientific methodsapply scientific methodsApply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesapply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesApply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsi...promote open innovation in researchpromote open innovation in researchApply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.publish academic researchpublish academic researchConduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achiev...promote the transfer of knowledgepromote the transfer of knowledgeDeploy broad awareness of processes of knowledge valorisation aimed to maximise the two–way flow of technology, intellectual property, expertise and capability between the research base and industry o...think abstractlythink abstractlyDemonstrate the ability to use concepts in order to make and understand generalisations, and relate or connect them to other items, events, or experiences.mentor individualsmentor individualsMentor individuals by providing emotional support, sharing experiences and giving advice to the individual to help them in their personal development, as well as adapting the support to the specific n...manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...read booksread booksRead the latest book releases and give your opinion on them.write scientific publicationswrite scientific publicationsPresent the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.develop professional network with researchers and scientistsdevelop professional network with researchers and scientistsDevelop alliances, contacts or partnerships, and exchange information with others. Foster integrated and open collaborations where different stakeholders co-create shared value research and innovation...integrate gender dimension in researchintegrate gender dimension in researchTake into account in the whole research process the biological characteristics and the evolving social and cultural features of women and men (gender).perform project managementperform project managementManage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific g...manage open publicationsmanage open publicationsBe familiar with Open Publication strategies, with the use of information technology to support research, and with the development and management of CRIS (current research information systems) and ins...synthesise informationsynthesise informationCritically read, interpret, and summarise new and complex information from diverse sources.conduct research across disciplinesconduct research across disciplinesWork and use research findings and data across disciplinary and/or functional boundaries.perform background research on writing subjectperform background research on writing subjectRun thorough background research on writing subject; desk-based research as well as site visits and interviews.communicate with a non-scientific audiencecommunicate with a non-scientific audienceCommunicate about scientific findings to a non-scientific audience, including the general public. Tailor the communication of scientific concepts, debates, findings to the audience, using a variety of...
Optional (31) — show
historyhistoryThe discipline that studies, analyses, and presents the events of the past related to humans.interview techniquesinterview techniquesThe techniques for getting information out of people by asking the right questions in the right way and to make them feel comfortable.journalismjournalismThe activity of collecting, processing and presenting to and audience information related to current events, trends, and people, called the news.editorial standardseditorial standardsThe guidelines on how to deal with and report on privacy, children, and death according to impartiality, and other standards.history of literaturehistory of literatureThe historical evolution of forms of writing that are meant to entertain, educate or to give instructions to the audience, such as fictional prose and poems. The techniques used to communicate these w...musical genresmusical genresDifferent musical styles and genres such as blues, jazz, reggae, rock, or indie.project managementproject managementThe discipline of project management, the activities which comprise this area and the variables implied in it, such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.types of literature genrestypes of literature genresThe different literary genres in the history of literature, their technique, tone, content and length.sociologysociologyThe group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.film studiesfilm studiesThe theoretical, historical, and critical approaches to films. This includes the narrative, artistic, cultural, economic, and political implications of cinema.content marketing strategycontent marketing strategyThe process of creation and share of media and publishing content in order to acquire customers.music literaturemusic literatureLiterature about music theory, specific music styles, periods, composers or musicians, or specific pieces. This includes a variety of materials such as magazines, journals, books and academic literatu...anthropologyanthropologyThe study of development and behaviour of human beings.literary techniquesliterary techniquesThe various approaches an author can use to enhance their writing and produce a specific effect; this can be the choice of a specific genre or the use of metaphors, allusions, and word play.press lawpress lawThe laws concerning the licensing of books and the freedom of expression in all products of the media.write research proposalswrite research proposalsSynthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the ...use presentation softwareuse presentation softwareUse software tools to create digital presentations which combine various elements, such as graphs, images, text and other multimedia.advise on public relationsadvise on public relationsAdvise business or public organisations on public relations management and strategies in order to ensure efficient communication with target audiences, and proper conveying of information.do historical researchdo historical researchUse scientific methods to research history and culture.apply desktop publishing techniquesapply desktop publishing techniquesApply desktop publishing techniques to create page layouts and typographic quality text.teach in academic or vocational contextsteach in academic or vocational contextsInstruct students in the theory and practice of academic or vocational subjects, transferring the content of own and others' research activities.apply teaching strategiesapply teaching strategiesEmploy various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating argument...conduct public surveysconduct public surveysConduct the procedures of a public survey from the initial formulation and compilation of the questions, identifying the target audience, managing the survey method and operations, managing the proces...interview focus groupsinterview focus groupsInterview a group of people about their perceptions, opinions, principles, beliefs, and attitudes towards a concept, system, product or idea in an interactive group setting where the participants can ...perform public relationsperform public relationsPerform public relations (PR) by managing the spread of information between an individual or an organisation and the public.develop scientific theoriesdevelop scientific theoriesFormulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.apply blended learningapply blended learningBe familiar with blended learning tools by combining traditional face-to-face and online learning, using digital tools, online technologies, and e-learning methods.assist scientific researchassist scientific researchAssist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.media lawmedia lawSet of laws related to the entertainment and telecommunications industry and regulatory activities within the fields of broadcasting, advertising, censorship, and online services.monitor sociological trendsmonitor sociological trendsIdentify and investigate sociological trends and movements in society.conduct quantitative researchconduct quantitative researchExecute a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a media scientist do?
Media scientists research the role and impact that media has on the society. They observe and document the usage of different kinds of media such as newspapers, radio and TV and the response from society.
What skills does a media scientist need?
A media scientist needs 41 essential skills, including literature, media studies, ethical code of conduct of journalists, communication studies, research design.
Will AI replace media scientist jobs?
The AI disruption score for media scientist is 77/100 (very high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentation, write scientific publications, synthesise information. Most resilient: mentor individuals, musical genres, interact professionally in research and professional environments.
AI Replacement Risk
77/ 100
Very High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
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ISCO GroupLegal, social and cultural professionals
Essential Skills41
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