Statistical software tutorials

Understanding and applying statistical software is essential for effective data analysis across various fields. To support your research and learning, our library offers access to a curated selection of freely available tutorials for popular statistical software, including R, SPSS, Stata, and SAS. In addition, we host workshops that provide hands-on experience and guided instruction on these tools, helping you develop practical skills for data analysis. Explore the sections below to find resources suited to your needs, and check our upcoming workshops to engage directly with our data services team.

R

• Overview of R: R is a powerful, open-source (free) programming language and environment primarily used for statistical computing, data analysis, and visualization. Originally developed in the early 1990s by statisticians Ross Ihaka and Robert Gentleman, R has since grown into one of the most popular languages in the fields of data science, statistics, and academic research.
• Free Tutorials:
  • Swirl: Interactive R tutorials embedded directly in R. Visit: https://swirlstats.com/
  • Data Carpentry Workshops: Selected free R workshops on topics like data manipulation and visualization. Visit: https://datacarpentry.org/
  • RStudio's Cheat Sheets: Downloadable resources covering key R concepts and packages. Visit: https://posit.co/resources/cheatsheets/?type=posit-cheatsheets&_page=1/

SPSS

• Overview of SPSS: SPSS (Statistical Product and Service Solution) is a comprehensive software platform designed for statistical analysis. Originally developed in the 1960s and now owned by IBM, SPSS has become a popular tool in social science research, healthcare, market research, and various academic and business settings.
• Free Tutorials:
  • IBM’s SPSS Tutorials: Introductory and advanced guides provided by IBM. Visit: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/spss-statistics 
  • SPSS on Coursera: Coursera offers various SPSS-related courses, some of which include free modules. Visit: https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=spss
  • Online Guides: UCLA's SPSS tutorials are well-structured for beginners and include detailed steps for using SPSS in both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. They provide both examples and theory. Visit: https://stats.oarc.ucla.edu/spss/

Stata

• Overview of Stata: Stata is a powerful statistical software package that is widely used for data analysis, manipulation, and visualization. It is particularly popular among economists, sociologists, political scientists, and other researchers who require advanced statistical capabilities and ease of use.
• Free Tutorials:
  • Stata’s YouTube Channel: Stata has a dedicated YouTube channel where users can access a wide range of tutorials, from beginner guides to more advanced functionalities. Visit: https://www.youtube.com/user/statacorp
  • UCLA Stata Resources: A comprehensive collection of Stata resources, including sample code to assist users in data analysis. Visit: https://stats.oarc.ucla.edu/stata/
  • Statalist Community: A rich resource for Stata users for problem-solving and advanced tips. Visit: https://www.statalist.org/forums/

SAS

• Overview of SAS: SAS is particularly renowned for its powerful capabilities in complex data management and advanced statistical analysis, making it one of the most trusted tools for large-scale data operations across industries such as healthcare, finance, and government.
• Free Tutorials:
  • SAS E-Learning: SAS offers a range of free introductory e-learning modules, ideal for beginners. Visit: https://www.sas.com/en_ca/training/offers/free-training.html
  • SAS Documentation: This is the main hub for all of SAS's documentation, including detailed guides on different procedures, programming languages, and solutions. Visit: https://support.sas.com/en/documentation.html
  • SAS Support: The SAS support website provides access to knowledge articles, troubleshooting guides, and a comprehensive search feature to help with specific issues or queries. Visit: https://support.sas.com/en/support-home.html
  • Support Communities: The SAS community allows users to ask questions, share solutions, and discuss various aspects of SAS software. Visit: https://communities.sas.com/