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Section 1.5 Using computers in research

Statistical software (such as Python, jamovi, R, SAS, SPSS, Stata, etc.) is useful for summarising and analysing data. Statistical software:
List 1.5.1.
  • is designed for working with large datasets.
  • encourages reproducible research (Section 5.3).
  • allows high-precision formatting and graphics.
  • is powerful; with some programming skills, almost anything is possible.
  • is specifically designed for analysing and working with data.

Note 1.5.2. Software.

This book sometimes shows output from jamovi [6], but using jamovi is not essential for understanding this book.
Using spreadsheets for storing and analysing data requires care. Expensive and dangerous errors have been made due to using spreadsheets [9]. Some challenges with using spreadsheets include that:
List 1.5.3.
  • spreadsheets may change data (e.g., reformatting entries as dates) when not appropriate [84].
  • spreadsheets may include formulas with errors that are difficult to locate and hence fix [66] [5].
  • spreadsheets do not leave a record of how the data were analysed or prepared. Keeping a record of the analysis, preparation of variables, and other operations with the data is good scientific practice (reproducible research; see Section 5.3) [76].
  • spreadsheets often produce poor graphs [78].
Problems with spreadsheets, as with any software, are often due to human error, but spreadsheets make errors hard to find and hence hard to fix. Spreadsheets are useful for data collection and basic data manipulation, but are not designed for scientific analysis. Be careful using spreadsheets for research and analysis.
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