Final answer:
One of the key roles of a data scientist is data collection and preprocessing, followed by the interpretation of data to derive meaningful information and effective project management and communication skills.
Step-by-step explanation:
As a data scientist starting a new project, data collection and preprocessing would be one of your key roles. This involves gathering facts and research through various means such as field research, observations, interviews, surveys, or questionnaires. After collection, preprocessing is crucial to organize and tidy the data, making it suitable for analysis. Moreover, you would be engaged in the interpretation of data, utilizing statistical methods to analyze raw data, and turning it into meaningful information that can help understand the world or solve problems. Lastly, effective project management and communication are essential to documenting and tracking the research progress and conveying findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.