On Mon, Feb 11, 2008 at 07:37:04AM -0800, Neil Shephard wrote: > > > > Arin Basu-3 wrote: > > > > Comment 2: > > > > Finally, on a minor point, why is "R" the statistical software being > > used? SPSS is probably more widely available in the workplace – > > certainly in areas of social policy etc. " (Prof NB) > > > > > > What struck me in the above is the "probably". How probable is it, anything > to substantiate the claim? > > Anyway, whether one package is more widely available in the workplace than > another is somewhat of a moot point. If a student learns how to use one > software package then they start to get pigeon-holed into using that > particular software package. > > Many jobs are advertised with "SPSS/SAS/Stata/S-Plus" (add/subtract at will) > skills/knowledge required (or at least desirable). The prospective job > applicant may think "Well I don't know how to use that so I shan't bother > applying" or they may be unwilling to re-learn how to use a new stats > package after months/years of investment in learning how to use another > package, alternatively they may well just loose out to someone who already > has the experience/skills. > > (Most) of this problem isn't negated when using R. Start a new job and use > the (excellent, extensible, and free) software that you've been using for > years.
And you could even argue that learning R means you'll be able to do more with SPSS: http://www.spss.com/spss/data_management_book.htm [I have not read this book so I don't know anything about the details of how they implement this, I just came across this by accident, but I was intrigued by the idea of extending SPSS using R.] David > > I'd stick with using R to teach your statistics, in the long-run any of them > who continue to perform statistical analysis will be grateful. > > Neil > -- David Whiting, Ph.D. Advancing Research in Chronic Disease Epidemiology (ARCHEPI) programme Institute of Health and Society, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH. Tel: +44 191 222 7045; Extn: 7375; Fax: +44 191 222 8211. http://research.ncl.ac.uk/archepi www.ncl.ac.uk/ihs ______________________________________________ R-help@r-project.org mailing list https://stat.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/r-help PLEASE do read the posting guide http://www.R-project.org/posting-guide.html and provide commented, minimal, self-contained, reproducible code.
