Let me start with 5 reasons, and leave the rest to others:
If they use SPSS, they will still have to type in commands, only in
SPSS it is called a syntax file not a do file. Doing data analysis and
especially data preparation without a syntax/do file is a sure
guarantee for disaster. You will make mistakes, which take only seconds
to find and repair if you have a syntax/do file, but will mean redoing
everything if you haven't.
The Stata syntax is a lot more consistent than the SPSS syntax
(sometimes variables should be seperated by commas sometimes not, etc.)
The Stata output is a lot more consistent than the output of SPSS, so
you need to learn how to read it only ones.
I have given computer labs using SPSS, and it crashes a lot: 3 to 4
crashes during each hour session with approx. 50 computers. I cannot
remember the last time I crashed Stata.
I like Stata because I can write my own programs in it, your students
might like Stata because others might have written programs that they
can use.
also have a look at
http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/technicalreports/Number1/ucla_ATSstat_tr1_1.0.pdf
HTH,
Maarten
--- Raphael Fraser <[email protected]> wrote:
> I am being persecuted by some of my students for having to learn
> Stata
> rather than SPSS. "SPSS is so easy to use" they say. "Why do we have
> to type every thing?" one student complained. This is always the case
> in my Intro to Stata classes but at the end of the course they show
> much appreciation for learning Stata especially when they have to do
> data manipulation. But this year is different. There is a student
> rebellion. They see me as a "Stata Dictator" and is desirous of
> "Democracy." So I have decided to be more "diplomatic" with a Stata
> vs
> SPSS comparison.
>
> Who can come up with TEN reasons why my students should choose Stata
> over SPSS?
>
> Raphael
> *
> * For searches and help try:
> * http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/res/findit.html
> * http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
> * http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/
>
-----------------------------------------
Maarten L. Buis
Department of Social Research Methodology
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Boelelaan 1081
1081 HV Amsterdam
The Netherlands
visiting adress:
Buitenveldertselaan 3 (Metropolitan), room Z434
+31 20 5986715
http://home.fsw.vu.nl/m.buis/
-----------------------------------------
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*
* For searches and help try:
* http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/res/findit.html
* http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
* http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/
