Statistics packages

[after_the_flood]

I'm interested in clinical research and have been looking into learning a stats program. Which one is most effective for that purpose? SPSS, minitab, R, SAS, STATA? Which is most commonly used?

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[NewHorizons]

SPSS is quite user friendly as a point and click tool but requires more work with respect to datasets that are constantly updated.

STATA is less user friendly and requires some understanding of computer syntax, but is very useful for its advanced flexibility and code reruns that make updated datasets easier to work with.

R is much better as a display tool (graphs, 3D models) but can also have some difficulties for the average person. R is also free to download so that's a massive positive.

SAS is something used commonly in the industry (health care administration, government etc) and can also do some complex functions.

All of these packages require good statistical knowledge and understanding to know what to do with them. The tool is only as useful as the person using it.

Best wishes,

 

[Kelly1993]

STATA > R > SPSS

 

[after_the_flood]

Thanks Future. Have to say I'm quite jealous of your applied biostats masters. Has it helped in the admissions cycle?

For me the limiting reagent is the tool. I think I have a decent working knowledge and am always striving to learn more. With that said, it appears that perhaps SPSS makes the most sense to use. I'm afraid of being limited, though. Do you think that would be an issue with the majority of clinical research that's being done?

 

[235009]

SPSS is probably the easiest to learn/use but also the easiest to make mistakes with
R, SAS and STATA have a much steeper learning curve but are more powerful

I doubt that for your purposes you'd feel limited with SPSS

What's most important though is understanding the statistics before you dive into the execution phase

 

[after_the_flood]

SPSS is probably the easiest to learn/use but also the easiest to make mistakes with
R, SAS and STATA have a much steeper learning curve but are more powerful

I doubt that for your purposes you'd feel limited with SPSS

What's most important though is understanding the statistics before you dive into the execution phase

Thank you. Could you describe how mistakes are easier to make in SPSS?

 

[235009]

Thank you. Could you describe how mistakes are easier to make in SPSS?

As a disclaimer I use SAS and have never used SPSS
I've heard that since it's point and click that it's easier to run stats/tests without really understanding whether they're appropriate or the results