Many researchers use spreadsheets as Excel for managing and analysing research data. In general the EpiCentre does not recommend using Excel or other spreadsheets for statistical analyses, but spreadsheets may be appropriate for graphical presentation or for summarising data using e.g. Pivot functions. Please read the text on databases and spreadsheets (se left hand menue) before establishing the research database. Excel has an amazing range of opportunities to put in data in non-appropriate formats creating a lot of extra work.
 
If you ever need statistical analyses for interpretation of your study - transfer data to a proper statistics software and do the analyses there. The EpiCentre recommends that anyone working with statistical questions install a specific statistical software in addition to the general purpose tools in the Office package (Excel, Access).
 
SAS. The NVH campus has historically been users of the SAS (Statistical Analysis Software, SAS Institute) programme, and there are still some users of this software. However, SAS is not very user-friendly, and is more fit for users with a historical link to SAS. 
 
 
The present recommendations for chosing software from the EpiCentre is the following (where the staff of the EpiCentre is also able to give technical support):
  1. JMP (SAS Institute) is based upon the SAS package and is a software with a user-friendly interface - but with some limitations. We recommend JMP for general purpose statistics, and especially for researchers running clinically controlled trials or controlled laboratory experiments or experimentaol animals. Of special value in JMP is the Design of Experiments (DoE) Module. JMP is also the software presented in the basic courses in statistics. More on JMP can be found here. JMP can be installed free of charge for anyone at NVH.
  2. Stata (StataCorp Inc.) is a more general purpose tool with a bit more challenging interface than JMP.  For anyone in need of more advanced statistical methods we recommend Stata as the first alternative. For epidemilogical studies, Stata is a must, and is also the platform used in NVH courses in epidemiology as well in Nordic epi courses. Stata can be installed at a cost of 2000 NKr for any user at NVH. More on Stata can be found here.
  3. R is a free, open-source program where you can do more or less anything in statistical analysis. R is more demanding using a programming interface, but is the choice for advanced students with background in statistics/ mathematics and in bioinformatics. R can be downloaded free of charge. More no R can be found here.
  4. ArcGIS. Many researchers will now and then need to present their findings using maps. NVH has a license for ArcGIS, a leading software in this area. More on ArcGIS can be found here.
  5. Graphics. In general, modern statistics software can also be used for producing graphics for scientific papers, and the EpiCentre does not generally recommend using specialised software. For most users, combining JMP/ Stata with Excel will enable most researchers to present their findings.
  6. Other. A range of specialized software is found for use in different scientific areas. Please consult your colleagues on this. 

 

JMP 8 and Stata 11 and ArcGIS can now be installed by the IT department. Please contact the IT using the response form. Also contact the IT department if you need any other specialised software.

If you have any suggestions for this page, please contact the staff of the EpiCentre.