[nabs-l] question about stats software

Arielle Silverman arielle71 at gmail.com
Sun Jan 22 06:08:39 UTC 2012


Hi Cari,
I'm a grad student in social psychology and have taken several
statistics courses so I'll offer you a few suggestions.
I use a different program called SAS for my data analysis instead of
SPSS. From what I've heard, SPSS is generally accessible with JAWS.
However, unless you  can run JAWS on the school computers, you will
probably have to buy some sort of license to get it installed on your
own computer. It's probably not cost-effective for one semester unless
you plan to do more research/statistics in the future.
I think you have a few options:
(1) Work on the assignments with a reader or classmate. I think
working with another student is fine and you and the student can
discuss interpretation of the output, or the student can simply tell
you what the output says. They're still learning by doing the SPSS
commands and you're still learning because you need to interpret the
output.
(2) Ask your professor or TA if you can use a free software program
instead. Two options I know of are "R" and a web-based program called
Graphpad Quickcalcs. I don't know much about R but I can help you with
Graphpad Quickcalcs if you decide to use it. It's Web-based and very
easy to learn. If you use one of these free options instead of SPSS,
you will still have the educational experience of entering data  and
commands as well as interpreting the output.
I'm with you about not getting an exception, I think if there is a
reasonable way to adapt the course assignments you should have the
opportunity to learn the same things as the other students.
If you want to talk more feel free to call me at
602-502-2255
or email me off-list.
Best,
Arielle

On 1/21/12, Cari Kness <carisuekness at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi All,
> My name is Cari. I'm working on my social work degree in saint Louis
> MO. I've been on and off NABS list before depending on time and traffic.
> I have a question. I'm taking Social Statistics this semester. We're
> using the stats entry software SPSS. Actually I believe it goes by
> PSW or something like that.
> A. Does anyone have experience with this software using speech? I use
> JAWS 13 with Windows 7 on my netbook and the school's computers also
> run Windows 7 with Windoweyes latest version. I think most of the
> work with the software is in class. I am working on finding an in
> class reader but have not had any success so far.
> B. I was talking to my prof and she said I could have an exception so
> I wouldn't have to use the software. She says the homework does not
> use it and the points difference is small but then she said it would
> be 75 points she'd adjust.
> C. I do not like the school's systems and would probably be better
> off using my own computer. Is there any version of this program
> available for free or at least for a trial period?
>
> I'm going back and forth on this. On the one hand I don't like to
> take exceptions if I don't have to. It may be true that I'll never
> use SPSS again but I would be able to work on my skills of finely
> directing a reader and learning to use output info from them.
> On the other hand, if using the software if not going to work and I
> can't find another way in class with a reader, is it really worth the
> head ache?
> I'm exploring my options and told my prof that I'd think about it and
> get back to her. If I can, I'd like to work with the program long
> enough to get the feel for it and work with my outside reader. I
> suppose I can't rule out working with another classmate. Is this
> option enifitial for both students?  There is another blind student
> in the class. She has offered to help me because she uses Zoombext
> and other visual aids. I thought it was a nice offer but it appeared
> like she was struggling to keep up herself and I fear that she would
> not be able to give me the information I need to do the work.
> I'm leaning on finding a way to make it work to learn the software to
> do the work with the rest of the class or outside it for the same
> redit. What have you experienced? What suggestions do you have?
> Thanks for your help.
> Peace,
> Cari
>
>
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