Three Days Workshop on Advanced Applied Statistics using IBM SPSS and JASP for Legal Studies" (6th to 8th September, 2024)
Gujarat National University (GNLU) organized the “Workshop on Advanced Applied Statistics using IBM SPSS & JASP for legal studies” through its Centre for Law and Economics ((CLE) & Centre for Empirical & Applied Research in Law & Interdisciplinary Studies (CEARLIS). The event spanned three distinguished days, with chief guest, Prof. (Dr.) Gurang Rami, Professor & Head, Department of Economics, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University. The inaugural ceremony featured insightful speeches from the distinguished guest, along with Prof. (Dr.) Ranita Nagar Head of Centre for Law and Economics, Director of GNLU Prof. (Dr.) S. Shanta Kumar, and Dr. Hiteshkumar Thakkar, Head of Centre for Empirical & Applied Research in Law & Interdisciplinary Studies (CEARLIS). Prof. (Dr.) Ranita Nagar, highlighted the growing popularity of law and economics as a specialization. She also announced efforts to index the GNLU Journal of Law and Economics in global databases like Web of Science and Scopus.
During the event, Volume VII Issue I of the GNLU Journal of Law and Economics was also launched. It featured pieces from legal luminaries like Attorney General R Venkataramani and Professor Upendra Baxi. Prof. (Dr.) S. Shanta Kumar, Director of GNLU, lauded Professor Ranita Nagar for her hard work and appreciated her noble vision of maintaining the journal open source, making knowledge accessible to everyone. He also lamented the overreliance on doctrinal methods in Indian legal research. Prof. (Dr.) Gurang Rami, Head, Department of Economics, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, emphasized the importance of empirical research in law, while also underlining the need to exercise caution when dealing with statistics. Dr. Hiteshkumar Thakkar, Head of Centre for Empirical & Applied Research in Law & Interdisciplinary Studies (CEARLIS), GNLU, announced his vision for his newly inaugurated Centre to have special focus towards empirical legal studies. He also shared his hopes for organizing a faculty development program and a flagship conference on the economic analysis of law, governance, and public policy, scheduled for March, with a focus on empirical research. The workshop spanned three days with resource persons Prof. (Dr.) Gaurang Rami and Dr. Hitesh Thakkar dealing with IBM SPSS and JASP respectively. During the workshop, the participants gained a comprehensive understanding of data types and measurement scales, forming the basis for advanced statistical analysis. They were introduced to frequency distributions and various charting methods to effectively organize and visualize data. Key descriptive statistical measures, such as mean, median, and standard deviation, were explored to summarize and interpret data. Additionally, participants engaged in hands-on sessions on correlation and regression analysis to assess relationships between variables. Advanced techniques, including multi-response and TURF analysis, factor and cluster analysis, and both parametric and non-parametric tests, were also thoroughly examined to enhance their data analytical skills.
At the end of workshop, on day three, Certificates of completion were presented to participants in acknowledgment of their active engagement and successful participation in the workshop.
