Page |1

CLASSIFICATION, TABULATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA IN LEGAL

RESEARCH

AKSHANSH SINGH BHADOURIYA

21LLM062

INTRODUCTION:

Legal research may be defined as ‘systematic’ finding law on a particular point and making
advancement in the science of law. However, the finding law is not so easy. It involves a
systematic search of legal materials, statutory, subsidiary and judicial pronouncements. For
making advancement in the science of law, one needs to go into the ‘underlying principles or
reasons of the law’. These activities warrant a systematic approach. An approach becomes
systematic when a researcher follows scientific method.

Data collection though very important, is not an end in itself, having collected the relevant data
either from the primary source or secondary some or from both, the next important step in the
legal research process is to analyze it properly' and interpret it intelligently, so that relevant
inferences call be drawn and appropriate actions can be initiated1.

After collecting data, the method of converting raw data into meaningful statement; includes data
processing, data analysis, and data interpretation and presentation. Data processing mainly
involves various manipulations necessary for preparing the data for analysis.

DATA ANALYSIS:

In any research, the step of analysis of the data is one of the most crucial tasks requiring
proficient knowledge to handle the data collected as per the pre decided research design of the
project.

According to LeCompte and Schensul;

Research data analysis is a process used by researchers for reducing data to a story and
interpreting it to derive insights. The data analysis process helps in reducing a large chunk of
data into smaller fragments, which makes sense.

1
Rattan Singh; Legal Research Methodology; LexisNexis; (2013).
 Page |2

Analysis of data is defined by Prof Wilkinson and Bhandarkar as;

A number of closely related operations that are performed with the purpose of summarizing the
collected data and organizing these in such a manner that they will yield answers to the research
questions or suggest hypothesis or questions if no such questions or hypothesis had initiated the
study.

After the data have been collected, the researcher needs to turn to the task of analyzing them.
Data, in any form, are raw and neutral. Their direction and trend is generally highlighted and
reflected with the help of analysis and interpretation. Analysis of data comes prior to
interpretation. However, there is no clear-cut dividing line between analysis and interpretation.
Analysis is not complete without interpretation and interpretation cannot proceed without
analysis. They are interdependent. Analysis of data involves a number of closely related
operations, such as classification or categorization, coding, and tabulation.

CLASSIFICATION:

Classification or categorization of data is the process of arranging data in groups or classes

according to their resemblance or affinity. The researcher has to classify his data into required
categories. The categorization has to be based on the problem under study or the hypothesis
formulated. The category must be exhaustive and suitable for classifying all responses. They
must be distinct, separate, and mutually exclusive. Classification means grouping the mass of
data into different classes or groups on the basis of their similarities and resemblances. When the
researcher arranges the material according to subject matter, he is actually taking the first step in
classifying it - arranging it in categories2. Before analysis can be carried out to any extent, it is
necessary to continue the classification process in much greater detail, especially when a survey
has been carried out or a substantial amount of statistical data has been collected. The reason is
that hundreds of individual items of data can be involved, and unless they are grouped in some
meaningful way. It will not be possible to discover any patterns or draw any conclusions.

Classification helps in achieving the following objectives:

2
Mohammad Afzal Wani, Shashi Kant Verma; Legal Research and Methodolgy; Indian Law Institute (2nd Ed.), (2001).
 Page |3

1 The complex scattered and haphazard data is organized into concise, logical and intelligible
form.
2 It is possible to make the characteristics of similarities and dissimilarities clear.
3 Comparative studies is possible.
4 Understanding of the significance is made easier and thereby good deal of human energy is
saved.
5 Underlying unity amongst different items is made clear and expressed.
6 Data is so arranged that analysis and generalization becomes possible.

TABULATION OF DATA:

Tabulation is the process of summarizing raw data and displaying the same in compact form (i.e.,
in the form of statistical tables) for further analysis. In a broader sense, tabulation is an orderly
arrangement of data in columns and rows3.

Tabulation is essential because of the following reasons-

1. It conserves space and reduces explanatory and descriptive statement to a minimum.

2. It facilitates the process of comparison4.

3. It facilitates the summation of items and the detection of errors and omissions.

4. It provides the basis for various statistical computations

Tabulation can be done by hand or by mechanical or electronic devices. The choice depends on
the size and type of study, cost considerations, time pressures and the availability of tabulating
machines or computers. In relatively large inquiries, we may use mechanical or computer
tabulation if other factors are favorable and necessary facilities are available. Tabulation may be
a very effective way of making legal research manageable, readable and understandable.

3
Suzanne E. Rowe; Legal Research, Legal Writing, and Legal Analysis: Putting Law School into Practice; 29 Stetson L. Review; (2000).
4
Rattan Singh; Legal Research Methodology; LexisNexis; (2013).
 Page |4

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLASSIFICATION AND TABULATION:

The paramount differences between classification and tabulation are discussed in the points
given below:

1. The process of arranging data into different categories, on the basis of nature, behavior,
or common characteristics is called classification. A process of condensing data and
presenting it in a compact form, by putting data into statistical table, is called tabulation.
2. Classification of data is done after data collection process is completed. On the other
hand, tabulation follows classification.
3. Data classification is based on similar attributes and variables of the observations.
Conversely, in tabulation the data is arranged in rows and columns, in a systematic way.
4. Classification of data is performed with the objective of analyzing data in order to draw
inferences. Unlike tabulation, which aims at presenting data, to ensure easy comparison
of various figures.
5. In classification, data is bifurcated into categories and sub-categories while in tabulation
data is divided into headings and sub-headings.

CONCLUSION:

In the research process, data analysis is a very important and scientific step especially when the
researcher is conducting a quantitative research. The researcher must understand the research
area comprehensively and do the processing, analysis and finally interpretation with the help of
various techniques and tools of analysis depending upon the nature, scope and aims of the
research being conducted5.

5
Suzanne E. Rowe; Legal Research, Legal Writing, and Legal Analysis: Putting Law School into Practice; 29 Stetson L. Review; (2000).