With empirical research increasingly becoming a part of legal scholarship, the library is developing a program in support of faculty using a variety of empirical analysis in their research. The library's efforts focus in four major areas: (1) providing resources in support of empirical research by developing a web page and increasing the library's collection of monographs focusing on general data collection and empirical research in the law; (2) developing basic training for faculty to help with the use of statistical packages, methods in delivering effective empirical research results, and a general understanding of the use of empirical data in legal scholarship; (3) providing several statistical software packages for faculty use, support in using those resources, and information about other available resources; and (4) facilitating collaboration with other empiricists on campus. The library has hired a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science to help us develop a comprehensive plan for supporting faculty empirical research. Mirya Holman can be reached at mholman@law.duke.edu or 613-7041. Please contact Lauren Collins (Collins@law.duke.edu or 613-7120) with questions or suggestions for the program.
Scholarship
In an effort to support and advance empirical research at Duke, we have developed a web resource that details existing empirical research at the school, provides access to superior examples of empirical research, and outlines law reviews and journals that regularly publish empirical research.
Training
Training in empirical legal scholarship at Duke focuses on tailoring lessons to the needs of faculty engaged in empirical scholarship. Some simple lessons on a variety of components of empirics and statistics have been prepared, and are available for download. In addition, links to additional statistical lessons online are available, as well as details about trainings that are available on Duke's campus and in the local area.
Data Sources
Connections to a wide variety of data are provided. The collection of this resource has focused on data specific to empirical legal scholarship, with particular attention paid to courts, crime, news and media, demographics, economics and business, international data, surveys and polls, and political data.
Computer Programs
Library and Technology Services provides a variety of options for statistical computing for faculty at Duke. In addition, we provide access to trainings in these programs, online resources for learning these programs, and information about alternative programs.