Item: IBM SPSS Statistics
Rating: 10
Author: Craig West

Overall Satisfaction with IBM SPSS

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use SPSS in our research (couples program) and in a better understanding of our program development (MCAT). We provide mental competency to stand trial training and it is imperative that we monitor and track each person's progress to ensure that the program is working in increasing competency of the people enrolled in the program. We use the SPSS program to better understand our hiring procedures as well as marketing practices.

Pros and Cons

Pros

SPSS has a very nice interface and keeps their interface consistent, even after 20 years of use.
Analyzing data is very quick and easy there is no programming required.
Some coding and saving codes for further analysis saves time.

Cons

SPSS is not free and is fairly pricey.
For those requiring advanced procedures not on SPSS, programmable coding, like in R Statistics, may be more limited and not as robust and use of R or other programs might be needed.
Statistical Package for Social Sciences and can only be used to perform only statistical operations. Further purchases of other packages will be required.
Default graphics are far from publication quality. Generally, it’s better to use other programs for graphics.
Information about effect size and confidence intervals is missing for many techniques.

Alternatives Considered

As indicated, there are a few other less expensive options such as R Statistics and Python but requires some programming and is a steep learning curve. SPSS, although expensive, will have you entering in data sets and analyzing your data quicker. For those who do not require more advanced analytics and have the financial resources, then SPSS would be a good fit.

Other Software Used

1Password, KeePass, Microsoft 365 Business

Likelihood to Recommend

SPSS is most suited for most researchers, although for power size and other uses will require further purchases or use of other programs to account for the limitations that SPSS might have. It can handle heavy data and there should not be any limitations for multiple variables. It may not be suited for those looking for a more robust and programmable option. Also, for those on a budget, other sources like R-Statistics might be better suited.

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IBM SPSS - Easy To Learn Without All of the Hassle of Learning R or Python Code!

Modules Used