Computer Skills

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

clinicalhopeful

Full Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2006
Messages
25
Reaction score
0
When applying to a clinical Ph.D. program, what computer program knowledge/skills beyond the typical SPSS-knowledge are helpful? Also, is there a place in your application or personal statement where you can mention what programs you are proficient in?
 
We had a thread on this awhile back, might want to do a search.

Really it depends on your research area. I defintely need at least a moderate level of understanding of computer programming for my research, as well as hardware/circuits since I frequently end up dismantling computers to replace parts, will be rewiring things in the future, etc. Learn to love Matlab if you're doing EEG/ERP research.

Obviously you need to Word/Excel/Powerpoint (maybe Access too if your lab uses it). That goes without saying, but those are all absurdly easy to use. You'll likely need to know more stats packages than SPSS since it simply isn't capable of everything by itself (Amos for SEM/CFA, any of a number of bundles for IRT, etc.)

Any of these would be helpful, though whether or not any are expected is way to dependent on your individual research line for us to answer.
 
Will they teach you how to use those other stats packages, or is it expected that you know them when you apply?
 
They'll teach them, but as always, knowing things you shouldn't know yet isn't going to be looked down on🙂

Really, very few people go into grad school even TRULY knowing SPSS. Someone who can't even run a correlation in SPSS is probably not grad school material, but I sure as heck couldn't have done a factor analysis before I got here, and I haven't felt like I was behind on the stats stuff.
 
Top