A thirst for knowledge and understanding, and courage are also aspects of what make social researchers "good". Also, a sense of boundarilessness and a generosity of spirit stand out as characteristics of social reserachers I have admired. Kurt Lewin , Don Berwick ,both tireless researchers, also sought, and seek, to make a difference in the lives of their fellow man.

To be social researcher, the personal characteristics and qualities that one need to possess are: Integrity, curiosity, commitment, originality, and passion to think beyond the debates and think about other way of explaining the issue under investigation. The skills require included: formal academic training in social theory, research methodology, philosophy of social science research, participation in local and international seminar and conferences, time management, doing quality and standard literature review, public presentation of research to the media and audiences; and demonstrate multidisciplinary approach to issues by working with scholars in all endeavour that connect with the research

She/he needs to possess: ethical attitudes, persistence, interpersonnal abilities and solid research training.

I second the two others, and would add good writing skills! In social sciences and humanities this is essential: if a reader can not follow your reasoning and argumentation, your research is not convincing.

I yhink that a good social resercher has to be updated about all events that seround him. this helps in making a solid hypothesis and variable selection; then a precise explanation of results when running a model.

Curiosity and humility

I must add to my previous answer that as "a good social scientist" I thought of someone whose studies I would enjoy reading, whose lectures I would like to hear or who I would appreciate to have as a colleague or a supervisor. Of course, to be "good" in a sense that one gets lots of funding, publications and projects, may require a different set of skills and qualitites ;)

Understanding of the scientific method, in both its quantitative and qualitative applications

"Nothing at all" except being a "Social"

And a second criterion: being able to theorize about findings, in addition to applying the relevant methods to generate findings (collecting and analyzing data)

A social researcher is one who's subject of research is concern with society.He/she should have the capability of identifying ,needs , requirements, and other dynamic perspectives of the society.He/She should be engaged in such researches , through which society can be benefited.

Hi Plamen. Since no one has mentioned it so far, it's the quest to be objective. Many of the skills already mentioned are required. Bob

Once a scholar is social, automatically his/her skills and chiseled and nurtured and his/her vision becomes automatically more objective and specific.

I think what is a must thing is an unbiased approach and remembering we social scientists will hit a new road if our hypothesis is rejected or turned false:)

A thirst for knowledge and understanding, and courage are also aspects of what make social researchers "good". Also, a sense of boundarilessness and a generosity of spirit stand out as characteristics of social reserachers I have admired. Kurt Lewin , Don Berwick ,both tireless researchers, also sought, and seek, to make a difference in the lives of their fellow man.

Empathy. If a social researcher cannot cross over to how the "subject(s)" feels about the issues being researched, she or he will not only miss the point but potentially do inadvertent harm

As far as qualitative data collection is concerned, a social researcher should excel in the following skills: observation, questioning, listening and communicating.

I'd suggest many of the skills are the same as to being a 'good researcher' period. One needs integrity, an inquisitive mind, a thick skin (to a degree, to cope with rejection of articles, grants etc), but also a humility to acknowledge ones own limitations and accept criticism.

I think that a good social researcher is to be able to have the followings:

1) Formulate some good research questions for the research.

2) Get sufficient literature search and review to support the research.

3) Target on the right sample for the research, good data collection and interpretation.

One of the most important criteria for being a professional social science research is adhere all ethical issues in the research. for instance, explain limitation instead of hiding it, dont offer any monetary benefits to your respondents (if required). beside this certainly you need to develop conceptual and technical skills related with theory and statistic.

Apart from ethical issues its important to analyse data in more meaningful way and discussing the findings by quoting field examples. Its possible when we put our heart to the data collection step.

The most important qualities are to never give up....have a better understanding of the issues being probed and the methods adopted. Also he should always be ready to change course/ mid way correction, if situation so demands. But knowledge of the ground is most essential. In addition to these I think a good communicator with sound quantitative skills makes a good social scientist.

... And a good social researcher should always be concerned with developing the scientific method to better understand human behaviour, as well as developing the general knowledge base according to the available methodologies of that point in time.

As a starting point it is being able to formulate valid, credible and illuminating research questions - questions that aim at what it is the researcher really wants to know. Building research questions on the basis of gaps identified in the relevant literature. Then adopting research methodologies that address the research questions. It seems simple, but rarely is!

In the past I can recall several Psychology classes that required social research study and methodologies at Troy State University. The question is a relevant question to today’s student as well as those researching areas for professional purposes. Most colleges require an APA class which teaches specific ethical requirements that must be adhered to prior to conducting the research. In the Professional sector it is a requirement by each state to conduct research based on specific criteria that protects the participants, as well as protecting yourself as a researcher professionally. The deeper you become in your profession or practice the more important compliance becomes. The concept of ethics and structure are a relevant issue in being a responsible social researcher in that the Association of American Psychology requires that the principle of “no harm” take full precedent in studies. It truly depends on the value that you place on your research and the subjects that are being studied that define you as a professional, responsible social researcher. You may fail at your experiment, or research, but the ethical design will help establish you as a good social researcher.

I suppose I should have what colleagues already listed and ethical behavior.

The researcher needs to have the interest and zeal in finding more information about whatever subject that they are interested in.  This comes naturally when one is not actually forced to carry out some work that they have no interest in.  Therefore one needs to have genuine interest in the topic to be able to find useful information that can be beneficial.

Dear Dr. Plamen Akaliyski , there is a researcher within all of us just waiting to be let loose…

Being ‘good’ according to the Oxford English Dictionary can be aligned with a multitude of properties of which “high quality”, “competent” and “skilful” are amongst those listed to name a few.

The qualities required to be good researcher can be broken down into more specific core competencies.  Some of them include but not limited to:

1. An analytical mind

“As a market researcher you are constantly analysing a variety of factors. Why does the client ultimately want to do this research? What is the appropriate methodology? When should this research take place? What are the appropriate questions to ask and how? Why did the respondent say that? What are the findings telling us? Why are they telling us that? How do I best communicate the findings? etc. On a daily basis researchers must be able to take a step back and analyse the situation presented to them. The obvious answer is not necessarily the right one” (Gareth Hodgson)

“You have to be able to see the bigger picture as well as the detail. People often find it easier to do one or the other- it is a skilled researcher that can do both simultaneously” (Richard Walker)

2. A people person

“This is important for clients –buyers of research would rather work with professional AND friendly consultants. Also for respondents – to get the best out of interview / focus group participants” (Richard Walker)

3. The ability to stay calm

“It can be really stressful as a researcher sometimes, especially when you have pressing deadlines or are experiencing problems with a data set, for example. When these situations occur, you just have to keep focused and think logically – there will always be an end point, even if it doesn’t feel like it!” (Bethan Turner)

4. Intelligence

“Research requires critical analysis but most of all common sense” (Liz Brierley)

5. Curiosity

“You may have the necessary intelligence but if you are not curious enough then you won’t be passionate about delving deeper to unearth more insight” (Anthony Shephard)

“At the end of the day, the role of a market researcher is to find out about other people’s business and tell it to other people. To be a market researcher you have to have an inherent interest in what other people think (potentially about absolutely anything!), and the nosier you are, the greater depth of information you can extract” (Gareth Hodgson)

6. Quick thinker

“Things don’t always go to plan so you need to be able to think fast” (Anthony Shephard)

7. Commitment

“It’s a tough job – the hours can be long, the deadlines short” (Richard Walker)

8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills

“So different audiences can clearly understand the findings of the research and what it means for them” (Jo Iaconianni)

“You have to have excellent written communications and be fluent in the language of business” (Richard Walker)

9. Sympathetic

“Having a sympathetic ear when listening to some respondents’ moans and groans is always a good skill to have!” (Liz Brierley)

10. Systematic

“Check, check and check again. It sounds simple but I’ve definitely learnt that building in a proper amount of time for checking your work always pays dividends. This can be applied to all parts of the research process” (Bethan Turner)

“Attention to detail – the ability to ensure that data is accurately presented and reported” (Anthony Shephard)

Dear Dr. Plamen Akaliyski , to be a good researcher, you need:

he must be good reader and having stamina to work continuously.

Be passionate, hardworking, and patient.