LibGuides: Statistical Software: Overview

Get help with statistical software

Do you have specific questions about statistics, research methods, or software?

3 hours of help are provided per project. Help is not provided for coursework. Consultations are free for MIT affiliates.

UT Austin Summer Statistics Institute
Dates: mid-May

UT's Summer Statistics Institute (SSI) offers intensive four-day workshops on diverse topics from introductory data sciences to advanced statistics.
ICPSR Summer Program
Dates: Various dates June-August

Attend a 4-week program in Ann Arbor, Michigan or a shorter course at locations around the country. Courses are offered on a wide range of statistical methodologies and technologies.

Contact:

All statistical software below can perform common statistical tests and save commands to and run commands from a syntax file.

Software	Strengths	Weaknesses	Interface	MIT Access
R	free and open-source variety of add-on packages available for all types of analysis	steep learning curve quality of packages varies no standard help resources	command line	Athena or free download
SAS	powerful data management works well with multiple, large, complex datasets high quality graphics excels at ANOVA, mixed models, & multivariate analysis excellent help resources	steep learning curve difficult to find errors in commands	command line	Athena (This is the UNIX version, which can be difficult to use)
Stata	easy to use can handle complex analysis and data management high quality graphics excels as regression, robust methods, survey data, public health data	fewer options for personalized programming	GUI, command line	Athena, GIS lab computers, purchase through IS&T
SPSS	very easy to use high quality graphics excels at ANOVA, multivariate analysis, survey data	complex or large datasets more limited data management tools fewer options for personalized programming	GUI	free for faculty and staff through IS&T
JMP	very easy to use excels at data exploration, research design, and visualization	complex or large datasets limited data management tools fewer options for personalized programming	GUI	free for teaching and research through IS&T
Minitab	very easy to use excels at data exploration, editing, and summary	limited statistical analysis options	GUI	installed on GIS & Data Lab computers in Rotch Library (7-238)