Software Reviews : STATA Reviewed by William F. Bengston,St. Joseph's College Publisher: The Computing Resource Center,10801 National Boulevard,Los Angeles,CA 90064 (telephone: [phone]) Materials: One diskette,152-page user's guide,175-page reference manual (professional version only),STATA Newsletter. Price: $395 (Academic discount price $195;Student version $30) Machine Specificity: IBM PC,XT,AT or compatibles. System Requirements: 256K memory (will use all available memory to 640K);one double-sided drive;Dos 2.0 or higher. Effectiveness: Good User-Friendliness: Excellent Documentation: Good

Abstract

STATA is a multi-purpose software package with features in common with spreadsheet programs, database management programs, and statistical packages. Although extremely flexible and easy to use, it does not measure up to stand alone software in these areas. Social scientists primarily interested in statistical applications for serious research will find STATA limited, though the program has potential for departmental administration functions, as well as classroom instruction and demonstration.