Subjects in a course in structural equation modeling analyzed problems using three different computer programs. Measures of time and perceived ease of program use were recorded and compared in a repeated measures Latin square design. Within the instructional context, differences were found in how easy the programs were to use. The methodology can be useful in evaluations of other computer programs; and results can be useful in guiding design of instructional strategies and computer programs.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
LongleyJ. W., An Appraisal of Least Squares Programs for the Electronic Computer from the Point of View of the User, American Statistical Association Journal, 62, pp. 819–841, 1967.
2.
LachenbruchP. A., Statistical Programs for Microcomputers, Byte, 8, pp. 560–570, 1983.
3.
RaduchelW. J., A Professional's Perspective on User-Friendliness, Byte, pp. 101–106, May, 1984.
4.
BormanL. and KarrR., Evaluating the “Friendliness” of a Timesharing System, SIGSOC Bulletin (ACM), 13, pp. 31–34, January, 1982.
5.
KlensinJ. C., Short-Term Friendly and Long-Term Hostile?, SIGSOC Bulletin (ACM), 13, pp. 105–110, January, 1982.
6.
AllerbeckK., Data Analysis Systems: A User's Point of View, Social Science Information, 10, pp. 23–35, 1971.
7.
CarpenterJ.DeloriaD., and MorgansteinD., Statistical Software for Microcomputers, Byte, pp. 234–264, April, 1984.
8.
DavisR., User Error or Computer Error? Observations on a Statistical Package, International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 19, pp. 359–376, 1983.
9.
FrancisI. and HeibergerR., The Evaluation of Statistical Program Packages, Proceedings of Computer Science and Statistics: Eighth Annual Symposium of the Interface, University of California, Los Angeles, 1975.
10.
MacCallumR., A Comparison of Factor Analysis Programs in SPSS, BMDP, and SAS, Psychometrika, 48, pp. 223–231, 1983.
11.
TaggS. K., The User Interface of the Data Analysis Package: Some Lines of Development, International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 14, pp. 297–316, 1981.
12.
DoscherM. L. and BentlerP. M., MOSSES: Model Specification for Structural Equation Systems, 1981.
13.
BentlerP. M., Theory and Implementation of EQS, A Structural Equations Program, BMDP Statistical Software, Los Angeles, 1984.
14.
JoreskögK. G., Structural Equation Models in the Social Sciences, in Application of Statistics, KrishnaiahP. R. (ed.), North-Holland Publishing Company, 1977.
15.
JoreskögK. G. and SörbomD., LISREL IV User's Guide, International Educational Services, Chicago, Illinois, 1978.
16.
HockingR. R. and SpeedF. M., A Full Rank Analysis of Some Linear Model Problems, Journal of the American Statistical Association, 10, pp. 706–712, 1975.
17.
TheilH., Principles of Economics, Wiley, New York, 1971.
18.
HeibergerR. M., The Specification of Experimental Designs to ANOVA Programs, American Statistician, 35: 2, pp. 78–104, May, 1981.
19.
HamerR. M., Papers That Evaluate Computer Programs, American Statistician, 35: 4, p. 264, 1981.