Introduction
High-quality data analysis has become central to modern social science research. Whether we study labour markets, household well-being, social service access, or long-term human development, the ability to work with large-scale unit-level survey datasets is now a core skill. Recognising this growing demand, an intensive seven-day online training programme has been announced to help scholars, faculty, and professionals strengthen their analytical toolkit.
Why This Workshop Matters
India generates a massive volume of public microdata through surveys such as the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the Survey on Access to Social Services (SAS), and the India Human Development Survey (IHDS). These datasets offer unmatched insights into employment, income, education, health, inequality, and social conditions across states, districts, and demographic groups.
However, working with such data is far from simple. Researchers often struggle with:
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Understanding survey design and sampling structures
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Cleaning and preparing complex, multi-file datasets
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Using weights, clusters, and strata properly
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Extracting policy-relevant insights
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Navigating software such as Stata and R
The upcoming workshop directly addresses these gaps through a structured, hands-on curriculum delivered by experienced empirical researchers and data specialists.
Programme Overview
Duration: 7 days
Mode: Online (live sessions)
Daily Schedule: 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Dates: 1–7 December 2025
The workshop follows an application-oriented approach. Instead of lengthy lectures, each session integrates:
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Live demonstrations
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Real dataset walkthroughs
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Practical coding exercises
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Discussions on best practices for survey-based research
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Q&A sessions to help participants handle their own research problems
Only 40 seats are available, keeping the cohort focused and interactive.
What Participants Will Learn
1. Structure of Large-Scale Unit-Level Databases
A detailed introduction to how national surveys are designed, how samples are drawn, and how the raw data is organised across households, individuals, and thematic modules.
2. Data Preparation in Stata and R
Participants will learn:
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Importing and merging files
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Cleaning inconsistent variables
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Constructing derived indicators
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Managing missing values
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Setting up survey design parameters
This includes guided coding sessions so that participants build confidence with both software environments.
3. Working with PLFS, SAS, and IHDS
The workshop covers:
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Employment and labour force indicators
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Education and health variables
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Access to basic facilities
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Consumption and living standards
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Demographic and socio-economic attributes
Practical exercises help participants produce tables, graphs, and regression outputs aligned with research or policy questions.
4. Empirical Techniques for Policy-Relevant Analysis
Key analytical themes include:
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Employment trends and workforce characteristics
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Sectoral patterns
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Social and regional inequalities
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Rural-urban disparities
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Household-level well-being
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Labour market shocks and vulnerabilities
By the end of the programme, each participant should be able to independently structure and execute a complete unit-level data project.
Who Should Attend
This workshop is ideal for:
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Research scholars working on dissertations involving labour, social policy, development economics, or inequality
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Faculty members seeking a refresher or skill enhancement in empirical methods
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Industry and policy professionals involved in analytics, evaluation, monitoring or quantitative research
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Early-career social scientists transitioning into data-driven work
Prior experience with Stata or R is helpful but not mandatory; the workshop is designed to build skills from the ground up.
Registration Details
Fees:
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Research Scholars: ₹1,500
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Faculty & Professionals: ₹2,500
Deadline: 28 November 2025
Selection: First-come, first-served (limited seats)
Once the fee is paid, participants must complete the registration form to confirm their seat.
How to Make the Most of This Workshop
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Install Stata and R Studio in advance
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Go through basic commands to familiarise yourself
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Prepare one research question you want to explore during the workshop
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Keep a notebook for writing commands and workflows
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After each session, practise with sample datasets to reinforce learning
This approach ensures that you finish the programme with not just theoretical knowledge but real, practical competence.
Conclusion
For anyone serious about social science research in India, mastering unit-level datasets is no longer optional — it is foundational. This seven-day workshop offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from experts who work with these databases every day. With structured learning, hands-on coding, and real-world examples, participants will walk away equipped to conduct rigorous, data-driven research that can contribute meaningfully to policy, academia, and public debates.
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