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Re: st: Stata vs SPSS
Our group recently had an experience with SAS vs. Stata that maybe
illuminating. We collected, managed and analyzed data from a clinical trial
using interfaces that we in part designed that made use of scanning
software (Teleform), SQL and Stata. At the end of the study the sponsor
unexpectedly asked us for 102 specially formatted tables. The format of the
tables was complex, but was based on SAS generated tables that were
standard for the sponsor. The tables had multiple columns, statistics
placed at special points within the tables, group comparisons and
interspersed headings. Although we could easily produce individual
components of the tables, the completed tables as requested was something
we could not do but that they did easily in SAS. When I say we could not do
it, I don't mean it was impossible. But at best it would have required very
complex Stata programming. The amount of work required on our part would
have been enormous and we refused to do it. Instead, we provided the
corporate sponsor with SAS files using -fdasave- so that they could make
the tables they wished.
Stata has problem with output formatting and reports. Although this is
rarely limiting for manuscripts and short reports, a substantial number of
postings to this list (and programs) are concerned with production of
formatted output. In the world I live in, I have to share output with
colleagues and journals using the most commonly used formats: MS Word (or
equivalent) and Excel (or equivalent). I need attractive, non-proportional
fonts, flexible page formatting and simple control of labels and titles.
Easy to request and very hard to implement, I'm sure. But such abilities
would make Stata an even greater package than it is now.
Fred Wolfe
Fred Wolfe
National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases
Wichita, Kansas
Tel +1 316 263 2125
[email protected]
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