For a variety of reasons, I would recommend first getting SPSS down cold.
Its vocabulary, user interface, and available procedures are the most useful
in doing a wide variety of jobs. SPSS is the easiest package to "index" and
"reference". (technical procedure terms crucial in evaluation and forensic
work.) Then I would learn DBMS/COPY. Then, for a few procedures, that are
not covered in SPSS, do your data cleaning and prep in SPSS and then pass
the prepared file to SAS.
You should have all your work "referenced" by expert
methodologist/statisticians.
see the "Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence", Washington, DC: Federal
Judicial Center, 1994. Especially the reference guides.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] (SAlbert) wrote:
> > Cheryl makes a good point: the "right" package depends on what the
> user wants
> > to do. MINITAB might be a good choice -- or SPSS, or any of dozens of
> others.
> > Is the application area psychology? Biology? Economics?
> Meteorology?
> > Demography? Chemistry? Do we need regression? Cross-tabs? Time
> series?
> > Design of Experiments?
> > The original question can't have a general answer that's correct
> for
> > everyone. If the original poster could provide a little more
> information about
> > needs, we could be a lot more helpful.
> >
> > Steve Albert
> >
>
> I'm the original postee, and this is why I asked the question. I'm a
> computer analyst for a large law firm. Most of my work is involved in
> large class action lawsuit, where I need to gather, organize and store
> mounds of data. From time to time I will need to perform some
> statistical work on this data. Usually the law firm will contract out
> this work, since as an employee I am not qualified to be an expert
> witness when it comes to statistical evidence. However my job is a new
> position for this law firm and they would like to perform some in house
> statistical work not only for comparison to the outside consultants but
> for internal questions as well. What type of statistical work I will be
> performing is unknown at this time. Hopefully from the type of data I'm
> collecting, someone can determine what statistical package is best
> suited for my needs. I would ask the consultants we work with, but was
> instructed not to.
>
> Thanks
>
> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Before you buy.
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