Statistical software (August 25, 2004).

Back when I was writing the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for stat-l/sci.stat.consult, I had a question about how to contact commercial statistical software vendors and where to find free statistical software. Unfortunately, stat-l has fallen on hard times, so I have not updated this FAQ for several years. But I do want to convert those two lists to a different part of my web pages and update them.

I got an email from Muthen and Muthen, makers of Mplus, and I will add this software program to the list when I have time. According to this company:

Mplus is a comprehensive modeling program that integrates random effect, factor, and latent class analysis in both cross-sectional and longitudinal settings and for both single-level and multi-level data. -- www.statmodel.com/index2.html

I have not used this software, so I can't endorse it. Even for the software I do use, I wouldn't want to endorse any of it. Statistical software is such an individual thing that it is impossible for a stranger like me to recommend any particular program to you. For the record, though, here is the software that I do use, in alphabetical order.

• Amos and SPSS, manufactured by SPSS Inc.,
• dfPower DBMS/Copy, manufactured by DataFlux Corporation,
• LogXact and StatXact, manufactured by Cytel Statistical Software,
• nQuery Advisor, manufactured by Statistical Solutions,
• SigmaPlot, manufactured by Systat Software, Inc.,
• S-plus, manufactured by Insightful Corporation,
• Stata, manufactured by StataCorp LP,

The free software that I use is EpiInfo and R.

I have a weblog entry from March 18, 2004 exploring microarray software products. I also have some tips on how to cite statistical software in a research publication.

2008-07-08. page. Category: Statistical computing