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In this thesis we will use large-area optical and radio surveys (SDSS and FIRST) are used to systematically measure the enhanced radio emission in merging galaxies in the low redshift Universe ($z < 0.4$). Through the use of statistical techniques on a catalogue of all the optically-selected SDSS quasar pairs for which there is a radio detection (in FIRST) within 3 arc seconds (which is roughly half the angular resolution of the radio maps in FIRST). The statistically analyzed data will be combined with a sample of "post-merger" (clearly disrupted, but individual) galaxies with the aim of investigating the nature of this enhanced emission as a function of galaxy separation.  We look at the distribution of the sample data with regards to their pair projected separation so as to give us an idea of the the level of interaction between the quasars in our pairs. the relationship between this pair separation and the pair velocity offset as well as the redshift are also analyzed so as to be able to make inferences about merger events and AGN activity. Lastly, we analyze the relationship between between luminosity, and hence AGN  activity and mergers.