What comes to your mind when you read or hear the word STATISTICAL ANALYSIS?
What comes to your mind may include;
- SPSS, EVIEWS, NVIVO
- Graphs, tables and figures
- Regression
- Microsoft Excel
DEFINITION: The process of analysing the data that were gathered in order to ascertain their meaning using quantitative and qualitative software (Robindos Research Consultancy).
- At Robindos Research Consultancy, we assist our client to analyse both quantitative and qualitative data.
- The software that we use for analysing data include but is not limited to;
1. SPSS (IBM)
SPSS, (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) is perhaps the most widely used statistics software package within human behaviour research. SPSS offers the ability to easily compile descriptive statistics, parametric and non-parametric analyses, as well as graphical depictions of results through the graphical user interface (GUI). It also includes the option to create scripts to automate analysis, or to carry out more advanced statistical processing.
2. R (R Foundation for Statistical Computing)
R is a free statistical software package that is widely used across both human behavior research and in other fields. Toolboxes (essentially plugins) are available for a great range of applications, which can simplify various aspects of data processing. While R is a very powerful software, it also has a steep learning curve, requiring a certain degree of coding. It does however come with an active community engaged in building and improving R and the associated plugins, which ensures that help is never too far away.
3. MATLAB (The Mathworks)
MatLab is an analytical platform and programming language that is widely used by engineers and scientists. As with R, the learning path is steep, and you will be required to create your own code at some point. A plentiful amount of toolboxes are also available to help answer your research questions (such as EEGLab for analysing EEG data). While MatLab can be difficult to use for novices, it offers a massive amount of flexibility in terms of what you want to do – as long as you can code it (or at least operate the toolbox you require).
4. Microsoft Excel
While not a cutting-edge solution for statistical analysis, MS Excel does offer a wide variety of tools for data visualization and simple statistics. It’s simple to generate summary metrics and customizable graphics and figures, making it a usable tool for many who want to see the basics of their data. As many individuals and companies both own and know how to use Excel, it also makes it an accessible option for those looking to get started with statistics.
5. SAS (Statistical Analysis Software)
SAS is a statistical analysis platform that offers options to use either the GUI, or to create scripts for more advanced analyses. It is a premium solution that is widely used in business, healthcare, and human behavior research alike. It’s possible to carry out advanced analyses and produce publication-worthy graphs and charts, although the coding can also be a difficult adjustment for those not used to this approach.
6. GraphPad Prism
GraphPad Prism is premium software primarily used within statistics related to biology, but offers a range of capabilities that can be used across various fields. Similar to SPSS, scripting options are available to automate analyses, or carry out more complex statistical calculations, but the majority of the work can be completed through the GUI.
7. Minitab
The Minitab software offers a range of both basic and fairly advanced statistical tools for data analysis. Similar to GraphPad Prism, commands can be executed through both the GUI and scripted commands, making it accessible to novices as well as users looking to carry out more complex analyses.
8. NVIVO
NVivo is a software program used for qualitative and mixed-methods research. Specifically, it is used for the analysis of unstructured text, audio, video, and image data, including (but not limited to) interviews, focus groups, surveys, social media, and journal articles. It is produced by QSR International.
