Abstract
(i) Data processing by computers is rapid, accurate, flexible, reliable, and economically advantageous.
(ii) Computations which were previously impractical because of time/personnel requirements are now feasible.
(iii) Computer programs for various types of integrated data processing in psychiatric research have been satisfactorily designed and operated.
(iv) Once a computer program is available, delays or errors in data processing due to human limitations are minimum. There is less time required for training and supervision of personnel processing data.
(v) In psychiatric research, the interval between data collection and hypothesis testing is markedly reduced by the use of appropriate computer programs. As a result, the researcher has more time available for hypothesis construction and the interpretation of relationships.