New Classes for Statistical Programming in SPSS and SAS

        Karl Ho, Research and Statistical Support Manager (kho@unt.edu)

        This semester we have begun to offer a new series of short courses on statistical programming and computer research tools. The changes in class structure are to accommodate the upgrade or improvement in the computing resources on campus, hardware and software alike. For the former, we have more powerful microcomputers most of which are at least 486's in the computer labs now while the centralized host systems including the IBM mainframe and the UNIX machines have had major upgrades over the summer 1996. On the other hand, we have also had upgrades in both of the centrally supported statistical packages, namely SPSS and SAS, that work under basically all operating environments on campus.

        Given these changes, we not only redesigned the course structure to take into account the new computing resources but also to better cater for the needs of UNT researchers. With the seven new courses, we aim at providing a program that allows both flexibility and variety for users at different levels of programming experience. The computer tools class (see below), for instance, is designed to introduce to both beginning and experienced researchers the powerful utilities for handling and manipulating data for analysis. While introductory classes in SPSS and SAS are prepared for new users, hands-on programming workshops are available for veteran users. All classes are provided with course materials and sample programs and they are free!

        The following provides a more elaborate description for each of the seven classes. Course schedules can be obtained from the Computing Center main office, ISB 119, or found at the Research and Statistical Support Homepage (http://www-lan.unt.edu/RSS).

        • Computer Tools for Research and Data Analysis

          This course is designed to familiarize researchers with the UNT computing environment and available computer tools for research and data analysis. Primarily, it encompasses four areas as follows:

          1. Data Collection and Entry
          2. Data Storage and Transferal
          3. Data Analysis
          4. Data Exposition

          In this course, you will learn how to:

          • collect and enter data using computer
          • identify different data formats
          • import data for statistical analysis
          • compress data for storage
          • examine data graphically

          Prerequisite Skills

          No prior programming knowledge is required but it is preferable to have background knowledge in file structures and system commands on one of the following operating systems: DOS, Windows, UNIX, or CMS.

          Duration: 3 hours

        • Introduction to SAS Programming

          First in the SAS series, this is a foundation course that introduces the basic programming techniques using SAS to accomplish typical data processing tasks. This course is a starting point for those who want to develop SAS programming as their primary research tools.

          In this course, you will learn how to:

          • start a SAS session using display manager system
          • prepare data for analysis
          • read in raw data using SAS data step
          • manage data using library, file and catalog systems in SAS
          • modify (recode) data for analysis
          • summarize and analyze data using simple procedures

          Prerequisite Skills

          No prior programming knowledge is required but it is preferable to have background knowledge in file structures and system commands on one of the following operating systems: DOS, Windows, UNIX, or CMS.

          Duration: 3 hours

        • Workshop in SAS Programming I

          Second in the SAS series, this course builds on the concepts presented in the Introduction to SAS Programming course with emphases on running SAS under different operating systems and environment. It covers running the components of typical SAS programs using different interface system and how the DATA step processes data and builds SAS data sets. SAS programming skills and efficiency will also be covered. Beginning SAS users are recommended to take the Introduction course before taking this one.

          In this course, you will learn how to:

          • run SAS programs in batch and interactive mode
          • run SAS on GUI systems like Windows 3.x
          • run SAS on remote systems like CMS, MVS, and UNIX
          • write DATA and PROC steps
          • create SAS data sets from external files
          • underrstand SAS programming logic
          • understand error messages in the SAS log and debug your SAS programs

            • Prerequisite Skills

            Two conditions should be met for taking this class:

            1. Completion of Introduction to SAS Programming course; and
            2. Completion of either Introduction to CMS or Introduction to UNIX.

            Previous SAS programming experience will be helpful. Applicants should be aware that this second level course requires basic knowledge of both SAS programming and the operating system.

            Duration: 3 hours

          • Workshop in SAS Programming II

            This course is designed for experienced SAS users who want to apply SAS programming skills to their research project and data analysis. It focuses on the hands-on exercises of data manipulation, advanced data analysis and statistical modeling.

            In this course, you will learn how to:

            • prepare your own data into SAS data set(s)
            • handle huge data sets (100 MB)
            • subset data into smaller data sets
            • transport data sets across different platform
            • apply statistical procedures including ANOVA, MANOVA, T-test, Multiple regression, Factor analysis, etc.
            • run interactive analysis using SAS/LAB and SAS insights
            • expose data in two- and three-dimensional graphs

            Prerequisite Skills

            Before selecting this course, you should complete the Workshop in SAS Programming course or have experience SAS programming. Applicants are recommended to bring their own data sets even though sample data will be provided.

            Duration: 3 hours

          • Introduction to SPSS Programming

            First in the SPSS series, this is a beginning course that familiarizes users with basic programming techniques in SPSS for basic data processing tasks. This course is a starting point for those who want to use SPSS as primary tool for data analysis and data management.

            In this course, you will learn how to:

            • start an SPSS session in DOS/Windows 3.x
            • prepare data for analysis
            • read in raw data using SPSS data list command
            • manage data using different SPSS file formats
            • transform (recode) data for analysis
            • summarize and analyze data using simple procedures like DESCRIPTIVES, CROSSTABS and FREQ.

            Prerequisite Skills

            No prior programming knowledge is required but it is preferable to have background knowledge in file structures and system commands on one of the following operating systems: DOS, Windows, UNIX, or CMS.

            Duration: 3 hours

          • Workshop in SPSS Programming I

            Second in the SPSS series, this course builds on the concepts presented in the Introduction to SPSS Programming course with emphases on using SPSS under different operating systems and environment. It covers the typical SPSS procedures, advantages of running SPSS in different interface systems. SPSS programming skills and efficiencies will also be covered. Beginning SPSS users are recommended to take the Introduction course before taking this one.

            In this course, you will learn how to:

            • run SPSS programs in batch and interactive mode
            • run SPSS on GUI systems like Windows 3.x
            • run SPSS on remote systems like CMS, MVS, and UNIX
            • create SPSS data sets from external files
            • understand programming logic
            • transport SPSS data set across different platforms (Windows, UNIX, CMS, MVS and Mac)

            Prerequisite Skills

            Two conditions should be met for taking this class:

            1. Completion of Introduction to SPSS Programming course; and
            2. Completion of either Introduction to CMS or Introduction to UNIX.

            Previous SPSS programming experience will be helpful. Applicants should be aware that this second level course requires basic knowledge of both SPSS programming and the operating system.

            Duration: 3 hours

          • Workshop in SPSS Programming II

            This course is designed for experienced SPSS users who want to apply SPSS programming skills to their research project and data analysis. It focuses on the hands-on exercises on data manipulation, advanced data analysis and statistical modeling.

            In this course, you will learn how to:

            • handle huge datasets (100 mb)
            • subset SPSS system file or data into smaller data sets
            • transport data sets across different platforms
            • apply statistical procedures including ANOVA, MANOVA, T-test, Multiple regression, Factor analysis, etc.
            • expose data in two- and three-dimensional graphs

            Prerequisite Skills

            Before selecting this course, you should complete the Workshop in SPSS Programming course or have previous experience SPSS programming. Applicants are recommended to bring their own data sets even though sample data will be provided.

          To ensure your enrollment, we strongly recommend you to register early so the instructor can customize lab sessions and materials according to the class size. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any question that pertains to any of the short courses listed above (call 565-4066 or kho@unt.edu via E-mail).

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